Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is urging Iowans to watch for scammers using Medicare’s open enrollment period to steal personal information or persuade people to switch coverage without understanding the consequences.
Open enrollment began October 15 and continues through December 7. In an interview with Sioux County Radio, Bird said families should talk with loved ones on Medicare about suspicious calls, texts, and emails.
One tactic involves callers claiming they need personal information to send someone a new Medicare card. Bird said Iowans should avoid engaging with anyone making that unsolicited request.
“Do not talk to them at all. You don’t have to talk to a scammer,” Bird said. “The other thing that we’re seeing is unsolicited calls to switch your plan. And often a family will only find out about it after their loved one has already been taken advantage of for that.”
Offers Can Put Coverage at Risk
Bird said scammers take advantage of the enrollment period by offering benefits that sound appealing but are designed to get people to share sensitive information or change plans.
“These con artists know that right now is open enrollment, and they might offer free tests, free products, all of those things,” Bird said. “And it’s just a scam to get you on the phone, to get you to give over your information, or to get you to switch to a different plan that may not have the same benefits as your current one.”
Bird said the consequences may not become clear until someone needs to use their coverage.
“And sometimes people were finding out are being switched and they don’t even realize what really happened and the things they thought were covered aren’t covered anymore,” Bird said. “So it’s very serious.”
Her office’s warning also identifies callers who invent an enrollment deadline before December 7, claim they need a Medicare number to arrange a replacement card, or demand information or payment to resolve supposed fraud.
Iowans should also be suspicious of promises that switching plans will leave everything unchanged. A different plan can change provider networks, prescription drug coverage, and out-of-pocket costs.
Act Quickly After Sharing Information
Bird encouraged people with coverage questions to seek help from someone they trust. Her office can also direct callers to assistance.
If anyone realizes they may have already given information to a scammer, Bird said it’s important to act immediately.
“That is the moment you really need to call our office, call law enforcement, call your bank, let them know what happened so we can take some steps to help you protect yourself,” Bird said.
Iowans can report suspected scams to the Attorney General’s Office at 515-281-5926, by email at consumer@ag.iowa.gov, or through iowaattorneygeneral.gov.
Suspicious calls or suspected Medicare fraud can also be reported to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
