Medicare Open-Enrollment Scammers Target Hoosier Seniors

The open-enrollment period for Medicare coverage in 2020 is October 15, 2019 to December 7, 2019.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Attorney General Cutris Hill is warning Hoosier seniors to be cautious during these open-enrollment weeks.

 Phone scammers are claiming to be 'private companies' that offer Medicare to eligible seniors.

During the open-enrollment period, October 15 through December 7, be sure to be alert for any calls from these scammers.

Hill gives some tips to avoid being a victim in a scam, 

• Government agencies will rarely, if ever, call you. If they do, it will be after they send you a letter – or to return a call you made to them.
• Anyone who tries to sell you Medicare insurance while claiming to be an “official Medicare agent” is a scammer. There are no Medicare sales representatives.
• Be vigilant for mailers that appear to be government communications but are actually advertisements for private companies. These documents sometimes will have a disclaimer, but the disclaimer will be in tiny font. Read carefully!
• The Medicare prescription drug plan (also known as Part D) is voluntary. Ignore anyone who calls saying you must join their prescription plan or you will lose your Medicare coverage.
• Never give anyone who unexpectedly calls or approaches you information such as your Medicare, bank account, credit card or Social Security number. Scammers can use your information, steal your identity, get credit in your name, and take your money. Anyone who tells you that you must provide personal information to keep your coverage is a scammer.
• Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers use technology to hide their real numbers and instead show numbers that seem legitimate. So if the caller ID shows a 202 area code or says “government” or “Washington DC,” don’t take that at face value. It could be anyone calling from anywhere.
• If you need help with Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE or go to https://www.medicare.gov/. 

If you receive any calls of this nature, remember to hang up and report the call at 1-800-MEDICARE or go to Ftc.gov/complaint. 

Consumers who believe that hey are the victims of scam attempts are also asked to report them to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-800-382-5516 or going online at www.in.gov/attorneygeneral and clicking the “File a Complaint” box at the bottom of the page.