Smart Safety: Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D And Medicare Advantage

It's that time of year again. Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans started Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7.  It's also the time when fraudsters are looking for vulnerable targets. During this time, there is a spike in imposter scams.

 

Adam Levin, Founder of CyberScout and author of "Swiped" says that "During Medicare open enrollment, fraudsters and ID thieves are looking for vulnerable targets who possess a hot commodity - Medicare information.  Protected healthcare information can be sold on the black market and used to commit identity theft.  Consumers need to be on high alert and follow these these tips:   1) If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Medicare, hang up.  Medicare will never call.  They respond via snail mail.  No health care plan is allowed to cold call.  2)  Medicare officers will not threaten you, demand payment or claim they can suspend your benefits if you don't agree to payment or signing up for a bogus plan. 3)  Don't provide personal, financial or Medicare information.  Guard your Medicare number with your life.  4) Never wire money or send funds via pre-paid card, gift card or Itunes card.  If the request does not make sense, use your best judgement.   4) Report the scam to the FTC and Medicare."

ADAM LEVIN

Adam K. Levin is a consumer advocate with more than 30 years of experience and is a nationally recognized expert on cybersecurity, privacy, identity theft, fraud, and personal finance. A former Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Mr. Levin is Chairman and founder of CyberScout and co-founder of Credit.com.  Adam Levin is the author of Amazon Best Selling Book Swiped:  How to Protect Yourself in a World Full of Scammers, Phishers and Identity Thieves.