Scam artists sometimes target older adults and their Medicare benefits. But there are ways to avoid being fooled.
Erin Weir of AgeOptions, an area agency on aging in Oak Park, coordinates the Senior Medicare Patrol program for Illinois.
Weir offers these tips to avoid Medicare fraud:
—Never accept medical services, supplies or equipment from someone on the phone, a door-to-door sales representative or a TV or magazine ad. Remember: Medicare does not sell anything.
—Never provide your Medicare or Medicaid number unless you know who you are dealing with. Give them out only if you make the phone call.
—Beware of callers who say they’re from Medicare and need to know your Medicare number. If they truly were from Medicare, they wouldn’t need to ask.
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Scam artists sometimes target older adults and their Medicare benefits. But there are ways to avoid being fooled.
Erin Weir of AgeOptions, an area agency on aging in Oak Park, coordinates the Senior Medicare Patrol program for Illinois.
Weir offers these tips to avoid Medicare fraud:
—Never accept medical services, supplies or equipment from someone on the phone, a door-to-door sales representative or a TV or magazine ad. Remember: Medicare does not sell anything.
—Never provide your Medicare or Medicaid number unless you know who you are dealing with. Give them out only if you make the phone call.
—Beware of callers who say they’re from Medicare and need to know your Medicare number. If they truly were from Medicare, they wouldn’t need to ask.
