Greg's Corner

Medicare is NOT issuing new plastic cards

By Greg Collier

Recently, many individuals have reported receiving phone calls about needing to update their Medicare cards to new plastic ones with chips, often accompanied by requests for personal details. Unfortunately, these calls are part of a scam that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has noted is currently seeing a spike.

Medicare cards are paper, and the agency has no plans to issue plastic cards. Any call suggesting the need to upgrade to a plastic card is a clear red flag. Treat your Medicare card like a credit card. Never share your Medicare number over the phone, especially if you did not initiate the call. Medicare will never call you to verify your card number or request personal information.

If you receive a call from someone asking for your Medicare number or offering a new card, hang up immediately. Then, call Medicare directly using the number on your official paperwork or their official website to verify if any changes are needed.

Be cautious if a caller asks you to pay for a new card or offers additional benefits in exchange for personal information. Medicare cards are free, and any request for payment is a scam.

If you believe you have been targeted by a Medicare scam, report it immediately to the FTC and your local authorities. Additionally, you can contact Medicare directly to report suspicious activity.

Scammers are continually devising new ways to exploit vulnerable individuals. By understanding how Medicare operates and recognizing the signs of fraud, you can safeguard your personal information and benefits. Always verify calls claiming to be from government agencies and report any suspicious activity to protect yourself and others from falling victim to these scams.