Today’s blog post comes from respected colleague Mr. Leonard Jernigan of The Jernigan Law Firm, who practices law in North Carolina.

Many of us have older loved ones who benefit from Medicare. Another group who are eligible for Medicare is those who have been on Social Security Disability for two years. Often, navigating the choices of the part D prescription plan and other Medicare enrollment options can be overwhelming and challenging, so it’s a decision made with the advice of others. If you’re involved with helping make choices for a loved one during the Medicare open enrollment that is going on until December 7, please discuss this blog post, too.

As is quoted in Mr. Jernigan’s blog, “Medicare will never call you and ask for your personal information, such as your Medicare number, over the phone. Never,” says CMS spokesman Aaron Albright. That’s especially important to understand because giving one’s Social Security number out opens that person to identify theft and a host of other potential problems.

Please continue to take care when sharing your personal information, and encourage your loved ones to do the same.

            It’s open enrollment season for Medicare, and that means increased risk of scams. Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their policies from October 15 to December 7. So during this time, be on the lookout for identity thieves, calling to get your information by posing as government agents. Don’t answer any calls or give any information to anyone claiming they need to “verify” your Medicare number (which is usually the same as your Social Security number) in order to issue you a new card. There are no actual plans to issue new Medicare cards and “Medicare will never call you and ask for your personal information, such as your Medicare number, over the phone. Never,” says CMS spokesman Aaron Albright.

             Take precautions. As a general rule, never give out your account numbers. Medicare, Bank Account or otherwise. Additionally, monitor your records carefully for unusual activity, including your Medicare Summary Notice that you should receive quarterly. Don’t fall for offers of free supplies in exchange for your credit card number for shipping charges.

             Be careful during this open enrollment season through December 7 and be on the lookout for scammers.

 For more information, check out the source of this article by Sid Kirchheimer from AARP called “Beware of the Fall Frauds” located at http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2014/medicare-open-enrollment-scams.html.

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