Medicare consumers who believe they have fallen victim to a scam, fraud or identify theft should take the following steps:
- Contact IAAAA’s SMP program at 317.205.9201. IAAAA can report information to Medicare to flag the victim’s Medicare account.
- Contact your doctor’s office and tell them not to approve any requests for prescriptions for durable medical equipment.
- Review new Medicare Summary Notices and report any fraudulent activity to Medicare. Consumers can access a guide to reviewing their Medicare Summary Notices or by calling their local Area Agency on Aging at 800.986.3505.
- Access the ID Theft Victim Kit available from the Indiana Attorney General’s office or by calling 317.232.6330 or 800.382.5516, and follow the kit’s instructions.
- For victims who shared their Social Security number, call 800.269.0271 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET, or visit Social Security.
By following all of the steps listed above, victims may be able to prevent any additional fraudulent use of their information. They can also help protect other Medicare patients by making the following complaints:
- Contact the Indiana Attorney General’s office at 317.232.6330 or 800.382.5516 or file an online consumer complaint form.
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission. According to the FTC, contacting Hoosiers who are registered with the National Do Not Call Registry is a direct violation, and the FTC will follow up with all complaints logged. To file a consumer complaint, victims should call 877.382.4357.
Choose your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan carefully. To be sure you are getting a Medicare-approved Prescription Drug Plan, look for the listing in Medicare & You.
Do NOT give your Medicare number or personal information like your Social Security number, bank account or credit card number to anyone who telephones.
Remember: Medicare-approved Drug Plan providers are not allowed to go door-to-door or telephone you.
Don’t be fooled: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
If someone approaches you about buying a phony Medicare drug plan, call:
- 1-800-MEDICARE (800.633.4227),
- Your local Area Agency on Aging, 800.986.3505, or
- Your local police department.
