Organizations warn against Medicare scams

March 29-- Mar. 29--The Council on Aging is warning seniors to take care when answering phone calls after a local senior reported an attempted Medicare scam.

"The number was local, and the lady told her she was from Medicare," according to a post shared by COA to Facebook. "She knew the senior's name already and her address; she also asked the senior if she had arthritis."

The caller then asked the senior for her Social Security number and the Medicare number on her new card. COA Director Susan McGrady said just getting the phone call should be a major red flag.

"Medicare won't call you. Social Security won't call you. IRS won't call you," she said. "And if they do, they'll already have that information."

McGrady said recent changes to Medicare cards have led to increased contact by scammers, who can use the information to contact Medicare, pretend to be the senior and get additional information for further fraud.

She advised seniors to report scams and attempted scams to the Council by calling 256-233-6412 or their local law enforcement agency. Athens Police Department can be reached at 256-233-8700, while the Limestone County Sheriff's Office number is 256-232-0111.

Reports to COA are sent to the Huntsville office of the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments, which reviews the reports and submits them to the Alabama Department of Social Services, which determines if further investigation is possible.

"One thing we've found is that a lot of people are embarrassed and they don't want to admit what happened (if they are scammed)," said TARCOG's Teresa Hazzard. "... Don't be ashamed to tell, especially if you have information from wiring money. We may be able to stop it from happening to the next person."

Hazzard said they receive more than 100 reports each year from scam victims or potential victims. She said seniors should remember that Medicare and Social Security already have access to seniors' information, so a legitimate conversation with a representative will not involve confirming the full Medicare or Social Security number.

Another scam she sees often is a caller suggesting a senior's Social Security number has been tampered with and threatening to have them arrested if the senior refuses to provide the full number for confirmation. In regards to this scam, Hazzard points out the illogic in victim-blaming.

"How are the police going to come and arrest you for someone else tampering with your Social Security number?" Hazzard said. "If you're calling me from Social Security, why are you calling me to ask if my number has been compromised? Shouldn't you already know?"

She said scammers expect seniors to become worried or scared by the thought of an arrest and give up any information they think will help them avoid it. Another scam she sees offers hope or free services in exchange for information, such as a DNA test to determine risk for disease -- which Medicare will not pay for -- or a free mammogram, which Medicare already covers.

"When older people don't know this, they fall for it," Hazzard said. "It's sad. That's why families need to get involved with their loved ones."

She said families talking often with seniors goes a long way in helping seniors feel comfortable in admitting contact with scammers.

Her other piece of advice? Hang up and call the potential scammer back.

"When you call Social Security or IRS, they are not going to answer on the first ring," Hazzard said. "Social Security will sometimes keep you on hold for an hour. These places (the scammers) will answer on the first or second ring. That's not Social Security."

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