BACOA Warns Older Adults of Medicare Scam

With new Medicare cards being issued to all qualifying older adults, con artists are working overtime to obtain Medicare recipient information.

"Some people are literally being called five or six times a day by scammers," said Barrington Area Council on Aging's Executive Director Joyce Palmquist. "It's important that no one ever gives personal information out over the phone."

Calls are coming from people claiming they work for the government and asking older adults to confirm personal information including social security numbers, bank accounts, date of birth and the like.

"It's really important to keep all personal information safe," said Palmquist.

This is just one of many scams targeting older adults. The Federal Trade Commission warns:

• Never, ever agree to wire money or put money on a prepaid debit card to pay for a new Medicare card. "If anyone calls and says you need to pay for it, that's a scam," according to the FTC.

• Never confirm or give out your Social Security number, credit card number or bank information to someone who calls and claims to be from Medicare. It's a scam. "Medicare will never ask you to give personal information to get your new number and card," the FTC said.

• Never be careless with your new Medicare card. While the new cards will no longer have Social Security numbers on them, the new cards still have ID information. "You'll still want to protect your new card because identity thieves could use it to get medical services," the FTC said.

• Make sure to destroy your old Medicare card once you get the new one. "Don't just toss it in the trash. Shred it," the FTC said. "If you have a separate Medicare Advantage card, keep that because you'll still need it for treatment."

For more information, contact BACOA at 847-381-5030.