This month’s topic was easy…
Just recently I received a call from someone stating they were from Medicare. “Did I receive my new card” they asked?
Just to play along with it I said “No I didn’t receive it yet” and they asked me for my Medicare number and my Social Security number when they couldn’t find my Medicare number.
This is information nobody would ask you over the phone from Social Security or Medicare.
This was clearly a scam.
Lately there’s been text messages going around from the MTA or Easy Pass stating that you’re behind and you’re going to go into collections “click here” to make a payment.
These are all scams!
SCAMS! SCARY!
Bad people are coming up with more inventive and damaging scams all the time. What can you do about it? Well, forewarned is forearmed. This newsletter is dedicated to alerting you to current Medicare scams, as well as scams targeting the elderly, and scams aimed at all of us regardless of age, income, or intelligence.
Medicare scams are unfortunately very common, targeting vulnerable seniors. Scammers use a variety of tactics to steal personal information, Medicare numbers, or money. Some common Medicare scams and how to protect yourself and your loved ones:
- Medicare Advantage/Drug Plan Scams
- Fake Medicare Calls
- Medical Equipment Scams
- Imposter Scams
For more details on these scams and a printable handout to share with your loved ones, click here
Red Flags
- Unsolicited calls, emails, or texts about Medicare.
- Pressure to act quickly or provide personal information.
- Promises of “free” services or money in exchange for your Medicare number.
- Calls from people who say they’re from Medicare but ask for bank info.
How to Protect Yourself
- Never give out your Medicare number unless you’re sure of the person you’re talking to.
- Hang up on unsolicited calls — even if the caller ID looks legitimate.
- Guard your Medicare card like a credit card.
- Check your Medicare Summary Notices for suspicious charges.
- Report scams to: Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
Scammers exploit trust, fear, or confusion. Here are the most common scams in 2025:
- Government Impersonation Scams (Social Security, Medicare, IRS)
- Medicare and Medical Equipment Scams
- Grandparent Scams
- Romance Scams
- Home Repair or Contractor Scams
- Tech Support Scams
- Banking and Phishing Scams
- Investment and Charity Scams
- AI Voice Cloning Scams
- Government Impersonation Scams (IRS, Medicare, Social Security)
- Package Delivery Text Scams (Smishing)
Click here to learn more about each of these scams and tips to avoid being scammed.
a href=”https://www.safehaveninsuranceagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Safe-Haven-Insurance-Agency-Most-Common-Scams-in-2025.pdf” target=”_blank”>Print the PDF to share with your loved ones.
Gift Cards = 🚩Red Flag
Why scammers love gift cards:
- Untraceable: Once the code is given, it’s like handing over cash.
- Fast: Scammers get the money immediately.
- Hard to recover: Almost impossible to reverse once redeemed.
- Widely available: Sold everywhere—grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations.
If someone asks you to pay with a gift card for any of these, it’s 100% a scam:
|
FAKE REASON “You owe back taxes” “Your grandchild is in jail” “Your computer is infected” “You missed jury duty” “You’ve won a prize, pay fees” “Pay now or your service is cut” |
SCAMMER POSE IRS agent Family member or lawyer Tech support (like Microsoft) Court or sheriff’s office Lottery or sweepstakes rep Utility company |
The only legitimate use for a gift card is:
- To buy items from the specific retailer (e.g., Target, Amazon, Apple)
- To give as a gift to someone you know
If anyone says, “Go buy a gift card, then give me the numbers on the back,” that’s your signal: IT’S A SCAM!
Recent Posts
The Lesson I Was Reminded of This Summer
What We’ve Been Working On This Summer
