Medicare Phone Scam Targeting Elderly Residents

Seniors beware! There's a new scam going around Northeast Ohio preying on seniors concerning Medicare.

Knowledge of the scam was publicized by the Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs.

Northeast Ohio residents need to be on the alert, as several seniors have reported receiving telephone calls from individuals claiming to be representatives of Medicare trying to get personal information under the guise of updating or renewing Medicare cards.

How the scam works is the caller claims to be from Medicare and is verifying the consumer’s name, address, and telephone number and date of birth because they are issuing new Medicare cards. While they have you on the line, the caller also asks for additional information such as the name of your bank where your social security checks are deposited along with your bank account numbers.

What should you do if you receive such a call? “It is okay to interrupt the caller in mid sentence and say NO THANK YOU GOODBYE,” urges Cynthia Sich, Director with the Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs. “And hang up. If your telephone rings immediately thereafter, do not pick it up in case it is the scam artist at it again.”

Seniors need to know that these criminals will try whatever means it takes to get your personal identifiable information from you. They will attempt to appear legitimate by telling you they have to transfer the call to their supervisor if you do not answer the questions or explain that you will receive a follow up call.

Sich wants to remind everyone to never give out personal identifiable information over the telephone especially when you did not place the call. It is also important to remember that Medicare does NOT call beneficiaries to verify information because they already have it.

For more information on this or other types of scams, contact the Office of Consumer Affairs at 330-643-2879, or visit www.co.summit.oh.us/consumeraffairs.