Beware of Phone Scams Targeting Medicare Beneficiaries
A recent article in the Albany Democrat-Herald warned of a phone scam targeting Medicare beneficiaries. The article noted phone calls had been reported in Albany, Corvallis, and Lebanon. This morning, the local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), run by RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), received a phone call from a concerned Lincoln County resident. This resident – named Jane Doe, for confidentiality purposes – received a suspicious phone call this morning and hung up the phone before giving out any personal information. The caller identified himself as a Medicare representative and said he needed to issue Jane Doe a new Medicare card. The caller stated Jane’s mailing address and asked if it was correct. Then, the caller asked what bank Jane uses and asked for Jane’s bank account number. It was at this time that Jane knew something fishy was going on and hung up the phone. The caller is not associated with Medicare and is not going to send a new Medicare card. He/she wants the bank account number to drain the beneficiary’s bank account. Do not give out your Medicare number to anyone claiming to be associated with Medicare. Typically, giving out your Medicare number over the phone is not safe unless you initiated the phone call.
Anyone who thinks they might have been a victim of this kind of scam should report it immediately to local law enforcement, their bank and the Senior Medicare Patrol. To contact the SMP in Lincoln County, call 541-574-2684.
