Scammers are getting sneakier. They can now manipulate your caller ID to make it look like your doctor’s office, Medicare, pharmacy or even a local hospital is calling. This trick is called “spoofing,” and it’s designed to gain your trust and steal your personal information.
Scammers often target older adults, believing they may be more trusting and less familiar with new technology. But awareness is your best defense.
What Scammers might say:
- This is your doctor’s office. Your doctor says you need a back brace, please confirm your Medicare number to proceed.
- Your test results are ready, but we need your Social Security number to verify.
- This is Medicare. We need to confirm your Social Security number to keep your coverage active.
- This is your pharmacy. We need your date of birth and insurance information to refill your prescription.
- There’s a billing issue with your last doctor visit — we need payment information to resolve it.
Here are some ways to protect yourself:
- Don’t share your personal information over the phone unless you’re 100% sure who you’re talking to.
- Hang up and call back using a number you trust — like the one on your doctor’s website or your Medicare card.
- Do not respond to any questions, especially those that can be answered with “YES” or “NO.”
- Check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) and Explanation of Benefits (EOBs). Look for SUSPICIOUS CLAIMS, such as supplies or telehealth visits you didn’t receive.
- Be cautious if you are being PRESSURED for information immediately.
If you’ve been contacted by a scammer or suspect Medicare fraud, report it to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)! The SMP program educates Medicare beneficiaries on how to protect themselves from fraud and abuse and is the go-to when people suspect they’ve been billed incorrectly or have been victim of a scam. You can reach the NYS SMP Helpline at 800-333-4374.