Scam Warning About New Medicare Cards
The Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program and Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens would like to warn Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers about recent complaints regarding suspicious telemarketing to beneficiaries in many regions of Virginia. Scam artists are pretending to be from Medicare and asking beneficiaries for their bank information in order to receive their new Medicare card and/or their Medicare benefits.
Medicare beneficiaries need to be aware of callers claiming to be from Medicare asking for Medicare information and banking information in order to receive their “new” Medicare card and Medicare benefits. These calls are a scam. Medicare NEVER makes calls offering supplies or services, nor do they call and request Medicare numbers.
The number one rule is NOT to provide any personal information such as your Medicare number, bank account or credit card information over the phone.
Local resident, Roxy Whitt was a recent beneficiary targeted. She received a call from a man possessing a foreign accent claiming to be Robert Norman. He began asking her for personal information and told her that if she did not provide the information she would not receive her new Medicare card and/or her Medicare benefits. Roxy recognized this was a scam and called Medicare and the Federal Trade Commission.
If you think you have been a target of a scam, report it to the Virginia SMP program at 1-800-938-8885 or visit www.virginiasmp.org.
The SMP Program is funded by the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging has administered the SMP grant in partnership with 21 local Area Agencies on Aging for 14 years.
AASC is one of Virginia’s 25 Area Agencies on Aging designated by the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services to carry out the department’s mission to foster the dignity, independence and security of older Virginians by promoting partnerships with communities at the local level. AASC offers information and services for older adults residing in Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell counties. Visit the organization’s website at www.aasc.org or call toll-free at 1-800-656-2272.