Beware Healthcare Card Phishing Scams

Scammers are calling to solicit personal information in a new healthcare-related scam. The scammer will claim to be calling on behalf of Medicare and will ask for your Social Security number, driver’s license number, bank account number or credit card information for a new “National Insurance Card.”

The caller will tell you that this card is part of the Affordable Care Act, but the card does not exist, and if someone calls you seeking personal information, remember the following:

•    Medicare will not contact you by phone asking for personal information. If you receive a call like this, hang up and call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 to report it.

•    Never provide personal information to anyone over the phone. If the caller asks for personal information, hang up and do not engage with the caller.

•    If you accidentally give out personal information to an unknown caller, report the incident to your local law enforcement and alert your financial institution to flag your account for questionable transactions.

•    If you believe that you are in danger of becoming a victim of identity theft, contact the AARP ElderWatch hotline for a free Identity Theft Repair Kit.

As the Affordable Care Act begins to be implemented, these types of healthcare-related scams may increase, so do not hesitate to call AARP ElderWatch should you have any questions or want to report a possible scam.

[Photo courtesy by bedo\iStockphoto]