How to spot fraud, predatory sales when enrolling in Medicare [Journal-News, Hamilton, Ohio]

September 23 – Scammers and high-pressure sales tactics often pop up as Medicare open enrollment season approaches.

Every year, open registrations take place Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 and it’s a chance for people to shop around for options and switch plans if they want.

But there are rules regarding the sales tactics that insurance agents can use. And crooks sometimes pose as government officials to solicit personal information.

Medicare beneficiaries in recent years have been given new identity cards, said Chris reeg, director of agents of the director of the Ohio Medicare Information Program.

“Most scammers don’t have that number yet, so we would like it to be. Don’t give out your social security number, your bank account information, any private information. Especially if someone has contacted you. . ”Reeg said.

Ohio residents should be alert to fake Medicare communications seeking personal information or money in exchange for any of the following: providing a new Medicare card.

How to protect yourself: – Never give out personal information, including Medicare, Social Security, bank account and credit card numbers, to anyone who contacts you in an unsolicited manner by phone, email, text, or in person, such as door-to-door sales. – Medicare will never call you to sell anything, visit your home, or register over the phone unless you called first. – Medicare or Medicare health plans will only call and ask for personal information if you are a member of the plan or if you have called and left a message. – Only give certain personal information to your doctors, insurance companies acting on your behalf, or people you trust in the community who work officially with Medicare, such as the Senior Health Insurance Information Program. Ohio.

If you believe an insurance agent is using pressured, fraudulent, or dishonest selling practices, contact the department’s Fraud and Enforcement Division at 800-686-1527.

“If someone calls you and they get aggressive telling you that you won’t give them your private information, hang up and report,” Reeg said.

Trained officials who are not affiliated with any insurance company are available at 800-686-1578 to answer Medicare questions.

___

(c) 2021 Journal-News (Hamilton, Ohio)

Visit the Journal-News (Hamilton, Ohio) at www.journal-news.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.