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ALERT for Patients with Medicare. Watch out for Phone Scams!!
If you have Medicare, beware of callers asking for money and checking account information. The callers may say that they will help you enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. The typical amount of money they ask for is $299, so the scheme is called the “$299 Ring.” You can report these calls to your police department or call 1-877-SAFERX (1-877-772-3379).
No Medicare drug plan can ask a person with Medicare for bank account or other personal information over the telephone. Never give that kind of information to a caller. You should contact your police department if you think someone is trying to take money or information from you illegally.
Legal Medicare drug plans will not ask you for payment over the telephone or the internet. They must bill you for the monthly premium. Typically, this is through an automatic payment from your monthly Social Security check. Some people pay the monthly premium by check or an automatic payment from their checking account.
People with Medicare should be on the lookout for anyone trying to take advantage of them and take steps to protect themselves by remembering:
- No one can come into your home uninvited.
- No one can ask you for personal information.
- Always keep personal information (like your Medicare number, credit card or a bank account number) safe.
- If you have a question or concern about Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
