Ever notice how your phone rings nonstop and it’s never someone offering you pizza coupons? Instead, it’s “Medicare” calling — over and over — with urgent news about your benefits. Except it’s not Medicare at all. It’s scammers trying to cash in on seniors.
Across Arizona, fraudsters are bombarding Medicare and Medicaid recipients with calls and emails, pressuring them to hand over sensitive information. The Department of Justice says Medicare fraud alone siphons off about $60 billion a year — and crooks are finding new ways to get their slice.
Here’s how these schemes usually play out: scammers pose as Medicare representatives, claiming you’ll lose coverage unless you “verify” your number. Sometimes they dangle fake perks like a “new plastic card” or even a gift card. Once they’ve got your Medicare number, they bill the government for services you never used, or worse, steal your identity.
Who’s Targeted
The main targets are seniors — people who rely heavily on Medicare and are understandably anxious about keeping their coverage intact. These calls often come from local-looking area codes to seem more convincing.
Real-Life Examples
- One Arizona consumer was told Medicare was sending a new “chip card” (which doesn’t exist). The caller demanded medical data to process it.
- Another was promised a gift card in exchange for confirming her Medicare number. She recognized the red flag and refused.
- A man’s father wasn’t so lucky — he gave away both his Medicare number and date of birth after being pressured by someone claiming to be with Medicare.
Why You Should Care
Think of your Medicare number like your Social Security number — if scammers get it, they can bill fake services, drain taxpayer money, and potentially leave you on the hook for medical fraud tied to your name. Beyond money, it can take months or even years to untangle the mess.
How to Protect Yourself
- Never give your Medicare number over the phone unless you initiated the call.
- Remember: Medicare does not randomly call people about new cards or to “verify” coverage.
- If you’re unsure, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE directly.
- Treat unsolicited offers (gift cards, cheek swabs, free equipment) as red flags.
- Report suspicious calls to Medicare or AARP’s Fraud Watch Network — you’ll be helping protect others, too.
Quick Tips & Updates
- Quick Tip #1: Did you know? Medicare cards are always paper — there’s no “plastic” or “chip” version. Anyone offering one is scamming you.
- Quick Tip #2: Pro Tip — if the caller pressures you with threats (“Your coverage will be canceled!”), that’s your sign to hang up immediately.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keywords & Definitions
- Medicare: A federal health insurance program in the U.S. primarily for people aged 65 and older, or younger people with certain disabilities.
- Medicaid: A joint federal and state program that helps cover healthcare costs for people with limited income and resources.
- Medicare Number: A unique identifier on your Medicare card, used to access benefits. Scammers target this like a Social Security number.
- Fraud Watch Network (AARP): A service that helps people spot and report scams, offering resources and alerts for seniors and families.
- Spoofed Calls: Phone calls that appear to come from a local or trusted number but are actually placed by scammers hiding their real identity.
- Phishing: Attempts by scammers to trick you into revealing personal or financial information, often through phone calls, emails, or fake websites.
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