Avoid Falling Victim to Medicare Telemarketing Scams

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Avoid Falling Victim to Medicare Telemarketing Scams

Mankato, MN, April 18, 2017 – If you have questions about your Medicare coverage or costs associated with Medicare, contact the Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433.  The Senior LinkAge Line® is a service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging®, Inc.

In recent years, telemarketing scams have become an easy way to prey on older adults, costing victims thousands of dollars and, in some cases, their identity. Below are some tips that can help you avoid becoming victim to common telemarketing scams.

  • Medicare will not call you to ask for a Medicare number, bank account information or request that you purchase a new Medicare card.
  • Often scammers will call impersonating a distressed family member or state they are calling on a family member’s behalf during an emergency.  Ask the caller to leave a contact number, then call a family member to verify if a loved one is in trouble.
  • Remember that you cannot win a lottery or sweepstakes without knowingly entering a contest.  If you receive a call informing you that you have won money or a prize, just hang up.
  • A robocall is a phone call that uses a computerized autodialer to deliver a prerecorded message.  If you receive a robocall offering free services, money or prizes hang up.

If you feel you have been the victim of a telemarketing scam or would like to report a scam that you have experienced, call the Senior LinkAge Line®. The Senior LinkAge Line® is a free statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging. Specialists provide one-to-one assistance with helping older adults age well and live well. The Senior LinkAge Line® is the federally-designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for Minnesota and is the place to call for Medicare and health insurance issues. Call 1-800-333-2433 for assistance Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm or visit www.MinnesotaHelp.info® to chat with a specialist during business hours.

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