HARRISBURG, PA — With the Medicare open enrollment period underway until December 7, AARP Pennsylvania has issued a critical advisory to beneficiaries to remain vigilant against an uptick in scams targeting their personal and financial information. As millions of seniors across the country review their healthcare and prescription plans, scammers are seizing this opportunity to perpetrate fraud.
Mary Bach, AARP Pennsylvania Volunteer and Chair of the Consumer Issues Task Force, stressed the timing and tactics of these fraudsters: “Scammers know this is an important time for Medicare beneficiaries as they review and determine what health plan and prescription drug coverage will work best for them next year.” She further explained that these criminals “often pretend to be Medicare representatives, using pressure tactics to steal personal information or trick people into purchasing unnecessary services.”
AARP highlights that a common ploy involves offering seemingly enticing benefits for early enrollment, which Bach categorically states, “There are no extra benefits for signing up early.”
Furthermore, David Kalinoski, AARP Pennsylvania Associate State Director, pointed out the perennial nature of such fraud, stating, “Medicare fraud also occurs throughout the year.” He noted that “imposters will call Medicare beneficiaries out of the blue and ask for sensitive information, offer to provide new cards, and use high-pressure tactics to steal your Medicare number and file fake claims in your name.”
In light of these threats, AARP Pennsylvania advises beneficiaries to take several precautionary steps:
- Review Medicare Summary Notices: Beneficiaries are urged to meticulously check their Medicare summary notices to verify the accuracy of dates and services. Any anomalies should be reported at once.
- Avoid Unsolicited Offers: Be wary of unsolicited communications. Offers that appear aggressive, misleading, or too favorable should be scrutinized, and decisions should not be rushed.
- Verify Legitimate Contacts: Federal agencies will not initiate contact to request personal information such as Medicare numbers unless the inquiry was first made by the individual to official sources like 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).
AARP Pennsylvania also encourages reporting suspected scams to local law enforcement, emphasizingthe need for heightened vigilance during this period. By staying informed and cautious, Medicare beneficiaries can protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud, ensuring they can focus on making informed decisions about their healthcare coverage.
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