The U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services has posted a notice of a phone scam soliciting credit card and other identity information from seniors. The callers try to portray themselves as Medicare representatives, offering free diabetic supplies. Here’s the story, from HHS.gov:
HHS HealthBeat
Calling out Medicare Scams
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Nicholas Garlow, HHS HealthBeat.
Diabetes patients, beware when you pick up the phone. Calls claiming to be from Medicare are not. If they offer you free glucose meters or diabetic test strips, that’s a red flag, because Medicare never makes calls offering supplies or services.
Gary Cantrell is deputy inspector general for investigations with HHS’ Office of the Inspector General. “The scammers sometimes use names like “MED-‘EE’-CARE, or “MED-“UH’-CARE, “MEDIC-CARE,” in order to trick the listener,” Cantrell wrote. “The number one no-no is giving your away personal information over the phone. Don’t provide callers with your Medicare number, bank account information, or credit card numbers. If you think you’re the target of a scam, report to the OIG hotline, at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.”
Senior Wellth 