Scammers are getting sneakier and more sophisticated in their ability to manipulate your phone’s caller ID to make it look like your doctor’s office, Medicare, pharmacy or even a local hospital is calling.
That’s according to the New York StateWide Senior Action Council, which warns the trick — called “spoofing” — is often used to gain the trust of seniors and steal personal information.
“Don’t trust Caller ID,” Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of the nonprofit, said in a news release. “Scammers can fake it, even a doctor’s phone number.”
According to the release, scammers might call and say:
This is your doctor’s office. Your doctor says you need a back brace, please confirm your Medicare number to proceed.
Your test results are ready, but we need your Social Security number to verify.
Medicare is updating your records — can you please confirm your details with a “YES or “NO.”
This is your pharmacy. We need your date of birth and insurance information to refill your prescription.
The Senior Action Council offered these tips to help seniors protect themselves against such scams:
If you suspect a spoofing call, end it and call back using a number you trust — like the one on your doctor’s website or your Medicare card.
Never share personal information over the phone with callers you don’t know.
Never respond to questions supposedly from Medicare with “yes” or “no.” Hang up. Medicare will never call a recipient.
Check Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) and Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) for suspicious claims like supplies or telehealth visits that you did not request or receive.
If you think you’ve been called by a scammer, or if you suspect Medicare fraud, report it to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). You can also call the New York StateWide Senior Action Council Helpline at 800-333-4374.
“We have trained counselors to help educate Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against health care fraud,” Alvarez said. “To report Medicare fraud, errors or abuse you can call our NYS Medicare Fraud Helpline at 800-333-4374 or visit www.nysenior.org.”
The 53-year-old non-profit New York StateWide Senior Action Council is dedicated to serving the needs and well-being of New York state’s approximately 2.5 million senior citizens.
