Imagine a retiree named Linda who hears about a Medicare data breach on the news. A few days later, she receives a call claiming her Medicare number needs to be replaced. The caller asks her to “verify” her existing number and date of birth. Believing the call is legitimate, she provides the information. Weeks later, she discovers fraudulent charges for medical equipment she never ordered.
Unfortunately, this is a reality for many Medicare recipients. The “new Medicare number” scam is catching many seniors off guard. Recent headlines about data exposure tied to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have created confusion that scammers are now exploiting. Criminals are using fear and urgency to trick seniors into handing over sensitive information. Here is what you need to know about this scam, and what you can do to protect yourself.
