Scammers claim to help with new Medicare cards

• Don't fall for Medicare scam

Don't fall for Medicare scam

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MADISON – State officials warn consumers to hang up on scammers who tell them they need a replacement Medicare card.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) recently received a complaint from a senior citizen who received a phone call from a group calling itself “Preferred Benefits to Seniors.”

By the end of the call, this consumer had turned over her bank account number to the caller, but was able to close her bank account before any money was stolen. A number of consumers have complained on different scam-tracking websites about receiving similar calls from this group.

In their complaints, consumers note that the caller often tells seniors that they need replacement Medicare cards. In order to process the new card, the caller asks to “verify” the senior’s personal information and asks for the senior’s bank account number.

The caller typically provides a toll-free number for any future inquiries, but the number is simply linked to an answering service and no additional information on the group is made available.

Remember that representatives with the Medicare program do not call to verify personal information. Consumers receiving a call about a replacement Medicare card should hang up immediately.

Anyone who gives banking information to such callers should immediately contact and inform their bank of the situation. The bank may choose to close the account and issue a new account number.

For more information on consumer topics, visit http://datcp.wisconsin.gov, send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov , or call toll free at1-800-422-7128.

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