As the country begins to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, there’s no doubt scammers are already scheming. Medicare and the government covers the COVID-19 vaccine for all Americans, so there is no cost to you. If anyone asks you to share your Medicare number or pay for the vaccine, it’s a scam!
Here’s what you should know:
1) Don’t pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine, and
2) Don’t share personal or financial information if someone calls, texts, or emails you promising access to the vaccine for a fee.
Con artists may try to get your Medicare number or personal information so they can steal your identity and commit Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud results in higher healthcare costs and taxes for everyone.
Learn more tips to help prevent Medicare fraud:
1) Guard your Medicare card like it’s a credit card,
2) Medicare will never contact for your Medicare Number or other personal information unless you’ve given them permission in advance,
3) Medicare will never call you to sell you anything,
4) You may get calls from people promising you things if you give them a Medicare number. Don’t do it!
5) Medicare will never visit you at your home, &
6) Medicare can’t enroll you over the phone unless you called first.
Check for Medicare billing fraud. Review your Medicare claims and Summary Notices for any services billed to your Medicare number you don’t recognize. Learn more about how to spot and report fraud. Report anything suspicious to Medicare. If you suspect fraud, please call 1-800-MEDI-CARE.
Article courtesy of Medicare