Identifying and Preventing Medicare Phone Scams

Phone scams targeting Medicare beneficiaries are on the rise, employing advanced tactics to exploit trust and steal personal information. SMP Hawaii is here to help protect you and your loved ones from falling victim to these schemes.

Latest Scam Tactics

1. Voice Cloning Scams
   Scammers now use AI to mimic the voices of loved ones. Protect yourself by avoiding unknown calls and never sharing personal information over the phone.
2. Fake Medicare Calls
   Medicare will never call you to verify your number or offer new cards. If you receive such calls, hang up and report the incident immediately.
3. Spoofed Caller IDs
   Fraudsters disguise their numbers to appear local. Let unknown numbers go to voicemail and only return calls you trust.
4. “Can You Hear Me?” Scams
   Avoid saying “Yes” to unknown callers. Scammers can misuse this recording as consent for fraudulent transactions.
5. Fraudulent Offers for Medical Supplies
   Calls promoting free genetic testing kits or back braces are likely scams. Always verify your Medicare statements for unauthorized charges.

Support Services from SMP Hawaii

SMP Hawaii provides free services to educate and support the community in identifying and preventing scams. If you suspect fraudulent activity, contact SMP Hawaii:

• Website: smphawaii.org
• Oahu Support: 808-586-7281
• Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-296-9422

Action Steps to Stay Safe

• Report Fraud: If you suspect a scam, report it to the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).
• Verify Sources: Always confirm the legitimacy of calls from agencies like Medicare.
• Educate Yourself: Knowledge is the first line of defense against scams.

For more information and resources, visit SMP Hawaii or the Senior Medicare Patrol website.