Healthcare Scams
Information about Healthcare Scams.
How It Works
You see an ad on TV, telling you about a new law that requires you to get a new health care card. Maybe you get a call offering you big discounts on health insurance. Or maybe someone says they’re from the government, and she needs your Medicare number to issue you a new card.
Scammers follow the headlines. When it’s Medicare open season, or when health care is in the news, they go to work with a new script. Their goal? To get your Social Security number, financial information, or insurance number.
So take a minute to think before you talk: Do you really have to get a new health care card? Is that discounted insurance a good deal? Is that ‘government official’ really from the government? The answer to all three is almost always: No.
How to Prevent It
- Check it out. Before you share your information, call Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE), do some research, and check with someone you trust. What’s the real story?
- If you gave personal information to the scammer you may be subject to identity theft. Learn what to do.
- If you gave financial information, alert your financial institution or credit card company.
If you lost money you should act immediately:
- Call the gift card or debit card company immediately. The contact number is on the back of the card. If reported immediately, you may be able to stop the transfer of funds, otherwise it may not be possible to stop the funds from being withdrawn. It is also important to alert the card company of fraud.
- If you sent cash, report it immediately to the postal service or whatever company you used. If you act quickly you may be able to stop delivery by giving the tracking number to the delivery company.
- If you wired the money, contact the wire service company and report the fraud.
- If you provided your bank account information or sent a check, contact your financial institution and place a stop payment on the check and alert them of the fraud.
- If you gave personal information to the scammer you may be subject to identity theft. Learn what to do.
- Report healthcare scams to the Federal Trade Commission: Report Now