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A growing number of Medicare recipients across the country are reporting suspicious phone calls from scammers claiming to represent Medicare officials, sparking concern among seniors and healthcare advocates.

The calls, which have surged in recent weeks, typically involve fraudsters posing as Medicare representatives who say there’s an issue with the recipient’s account, benefits, or new card issuance. In many cases, the callers pressure individuals to verify personal information such as their Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account details.

“They told me my Medicare coverage was about to be suspended if I didn’t confirm my number right away,” said 72-year-old Alice Jenkins of Wilmington, Delaware. “It felt urgent, but something seemed off — luckily, I hung up.”

Consumer protection agencies and Medicare officials are now issuing public warnings, reminding recipients that Medicare will never call to ask for sensitive personal or financial information over the phone.

“This is a common tactic used by scammers to prey on fear and confusion, especially among older adults,” said Julie Richards, a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). “We urge everyone to be cautious and never give out Medicare or banking details to unsolicited callers.”

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also seen an uptick in complaints, noting that scammers often use caller ID spoofing to make it appear that the call is coming from a legitimate source.

In some cases, victims have reported losing hundreds or even thousands of dollars after giving out banking information or being tricked into buying fraudulent Medicare-related products.

Authorities advise Medicare recipients to hang up immediately if they receive a suspicious call, report it to 1-800-MEDICARE or the FTC, and monitor their Medicare statements for any unauthorized charges.

“It’s critical that people understand: if it feels urgent or threatening, it’s probably a scam,” Richards added.

With Medicare fraud costing the system billions annually, officials say raising awareness is key to stopping scammers before they succeed.

“Education is our first line of defense,” said Richards. “When people know the red flags, they’re far less likely to fall victim.”

Wave Of Scam Calls Targeting Medicare Users Raises Alarm Nationwide  was originally published on rnbphilly.com