Senior Medicare Patrol Avoid Government Impersonations Scams

It Doesn’t Take Luck to Avoid Government Impersonation Scams: Protect yourself from fraud attempts by following these tips.

Government impersonation scams are a growing threat, especially when the IRS and other government agencies are extra busy. Scammers pretend to be from the IRS, Social Security or Medicare, hoping to trick you into giving out personal information or sending money. They use fear tactics, urgency, or emotions to push you into acting fast. But don’t worry—keeping safe from these scams is simple when you follow these steps:

Know About Current Scams – If you get a strange phone call, email, or letter, share the details with your friends and family. By telling others, you can help reduce the chances of others falling for similar scams. Follow the Missouri SMP on Facebook to stay up to date on current scam trends.

Never Share Personal Information Without Verification – Be cautious when giving out personal information. Always make sure you are communicating with the actual source before sharing anything.

Verify Before Acting – If you receive a message or call from a government office, take time to check the details. Use known phone numbers or official websites to contact the agency directly.

Report Strange Activities – If you notice unusual activity, like getting medical equipment you didn’t order or odd charges on your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB), report it to the Missouri SMP. For other problems, reach out to your local police or bank.

Stop Answering Phone Numbers You Don’t Know – If you receive a call from an unknown number, let it go to voicemail. You can call them back.

Don’t Feel Embarrassed! – If you think you’ve been targeted or have shared personal information, don’t be ashamed. These scams are designed to seem real, and many people are tricked by them. The important thing is to act fast to make it stop.
The Missouri SMP is here to provide you with information you need to protect, detect, and report potential Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. If you think you or a loved one has been a target of a Medicare scam, call the Missouri SMP at 888-515-6565.
This project was supported, in part, by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $662,347 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government