Posts tagged 'social security number'
Many cities and towns throughout the country are issuing warnings for seniors and individuals with disabilities about scams aimed at them – especially during this open enrollment period which lasts until the end of the year.
Some of these scams involve people calling Medicare recipients and telling them that they are from Medicare and they are calling to warn the recipient that their benefits will cancel in 30 days. The callers also tell recipients that in order to keep their Medicare benefits, they need to give the callers personal information bank account numbers, social security numbers and Medicare number. Callers will also say that updating this information is free.
These types of scams are becoming more and more common throughout the country. People prey on the elderly and on individuals with disabilities, and these people sound so authentic that they often get the information they are asking for. Once they have this personal information they use it in a fraudulent way.
No matter where you live, Do NOT give out ANY personal information – especially social security numbers, bank account numbers and Medicare or other information that should remain private and protected.
Actual Medicare or Social Security representatives will NEVER ask you for personal information and they will NEVER ask you to pay them over the phone. They may verify your information, but if they are authentic, they already have the information and are trying to make sure that you are who you say you are. In addition, they usually only ask for the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Medicare sends out information about bills and statements to recipients if there are any amounts due. Most of the time the amount would be set up in advance to be deducted from your bank account and you would receive statement in the mail showing the deduction. Official Medicare, Social Security and banking information is usually sent to you in writing in a statement or letter. If they need information from you, they usually ask for it in writing.
If someone calls you trying to get information that is private, do not give it to them. Try to get their name and number and report them to your local police or sheriff’s department.
Keep yourself and your private, personal information safe. Don’t let scammers trick you into revealing and sharing information that should stay private.
Identity theft has become a huge problem in the United States and throughout the world, and it is getting worse. It seems that every day we hear about a new way that fraudsters have figured out to get pertinent information about us that they can use to purchase anything from a car to a home to illegal drugs.
Through the years, Medicare cards have displayed the individual’s name and Social Security number front and center, as well as other information that could help identity thieves to get your information and use it.
It is interesting that Medicare is finally getting around to doing this. Insurance companies and other organizations have begun doing this years ago, and when you talk to most places such as banks, insurance companies, the power company or others on the phone, they only ask for the last 4 digits of your Social Security number and they only have access to those four digits unless they are in a specific department.
More care is being taken to protect our privacy and a substantial part of that protection comes with protecting our Social Security numbers. The Social Security Number Protection Act has been proposed to Congress as a critical issue that needs to be addressed now. The senators who proposed the action have said that the Federal Government should be taking the lead in this area, not lagging behind. They are asking that the removal of Social Security numbers be mandated and that the unnecessary use of Social Security numbers be eliminated.
It is, of course, impossible to eliminate the use of Social Security numbers in many instances, however, there is a difference between using the numbers and going out of the way to protect people’s identity, as opposed to using the numbers and basically flaunting them or leaving them in plain sight as a temptation and easy road to fraud for identity thieves.
With 8.4 million people victims of identity theft last year alone, this is a critical issue. The legislation would give CMS a limited amount of time to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards, correspondence and unencrypted information. This should give Medicare recipients some peace of mind.
It is becoming too common to hear about fraudulent and dishonest individuals trying to either frighten or trick Medicare recipients – especially seniors – into either changing their coverage to inferior plans or giving out personal and sensitive information so they can use it for various types of fraud.
Yesterday, in Pocatello, Idaho there was an NBC news story stating that such a group was targeting individuals in the area by calling them up and telling them that their Medicare was at stake. They would offer a discount Medicare card that was intended to replace the valid Medicare card they already have.
The person that called one woman was a male, who told her about the discount card and stated that he needed some information first. It is interesting that he already had her bank routing number and her address, which is unsettling in itself, but he then asked for her Social Security number and her bank account number.
Fortunately, the woman had a clue. She knew that something wasn’t right, and she had already heard that there was a scam, so she did not give the individual the information he was asking for. Then the man told her that she would lose her benefits for three months, since she would not give the requested information. Instead of continuing the conversation, she called the police.
Unfortunately, other individuals who are Medicare recipients have not fared so well. As a result, the Pocatello police have warned seniors about this scam. They have told seniors in the area to be extremely careful about relaying any personal information, especially over the phone. It is also important to note that there are certain ways to verify that the individual is truly from Medicare. If you have caller I.D., the number will show up or the name Medicare or CMS will come up on the I.D. In addition, it is rare that you would be asked for your bank account number unless you call them and ask for direct deposit. Also, they will not usually ask for your Social Security number because they have it. They will often read it to you and have you verify it.
If you are not comfortable with the person who is calling or the questions they are asking, get their name, their employee identification number and their phone number, plus their extension and the city they are in. They should readily give you that information so that you can call back, or they will give you the main number to call and tell you that you can talk to anyone there. If they won’t give you the information you request or if they hang up when you ask, they are probably not legitimate. If this happens to you, report it to your local police as well as the agency they say they are from, such as Medicare or Social Security.
It is important to be aware of people and situations that could jeopardize your benefits or finances. Trust your instincts, and be cautious. Don’t give information out unless you are sure who you are speaking to. Stay on guard and keep yourself safe.
