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In This Episode
Scammers are calling seniors pretending to be from Medicare. In this episode we explain exactly how these calls work, the warning signs to listen for, and the simple steps that keep you safe. Remember: Medicare will never call to ask for your number or payment.
- How to recognize a fake Medicare call in the first few seconds
- The personal details scammers try to collect — and why
- What to say and do when you get a suspicious call
- How to report a scam and protect your neighbors
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Full Transcript
Host: Welcome back to Truth4Seniors. I'm so glad you're here. Today we're talking about something that affects almost every older adult at some point — scam phone calls that pretend to be from Medicare.
Host: Here's the most important thing to remember, and I'll say it again at the end: Medicare will never call you out of the blue to ask for your Medicare number, your bank details, or a payment. If someone does, it is a scam.
Guest: That's exactly right. These callers can sound very official. They may already know your name or address, which makes it feel real. But that information is easy to find, and it doesn't mean the call is legitimate.
Host: So what should someone do when they get a call like this?
Guest: The safest thing is simply to hang up. You don't owe a stranger an explanation. If you're worried it might be real, call Medicare yourself at the number on the back of your card — 1-800-MEDICARE.
Host: And if someone has already shared information?
Guest: Don't panic, and don't be embarrassed — this happens to many careful people. Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311. They'll walk you through the next steps.
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