posted on July 1, 2024
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This month’s Fraud Fact from the Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) focuses on how to prevent
phone scams.

Older adults are often a target of fraud. Scammers can be clever and convincing with rehearsed
stories to catch you off guard in the attempt to get your personal information. You can help protect
yourself by being current on the types of phone scams and what to look for:

  • Caller ID Spoofing – This is when scammers use software to appear that they are calling from
    a local number or government agency.
  • Robocalls/Robotexts – Similar to caller ID spoofing, scammers can appear as legitimate
    businesses or agencies in an attempt to gain personal information.
  • Impersonator Scams – When a scammer calls pretending to be someone you trust (such as a
    family member or law enforcement agency department).
    What to do if you receive a suspicious call:
  • Don’t answer unknown numbers. If you’ve missed a call from an unknown number, do not
    call it back.
  • Hang up. If someone calls trying to verify your personal information, says your information
    has been compromised, or states they want to send you a new Medicare card, hang up. Call
    the party that the call was claiming to come from (Medicare, doctor, bank) and ask if someone
    was attempting to reach you.
  • Do not “press 1” or confirm information in unexpected texts or automated calls. If your
    pharmacy texts every month to press 1 for your prescription refill, it is ok to continue doing
    so. But, if you get a text from FedEx that they are unable to deliver your package, do not
    reply. This is likely a scam.
  • Register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry by calling 888-382-1222
    or visiting www.donotcall.gov. This will not stop scam or spam calls, but it will make them
    easier to identify as most legitimate telemarketers will not call if you are on the registry.

Phone scams are unfortunately common, but by educating yourself on how scammers try to fool us, you can avoid being a victim. If you suspect that you or someone you know has fallen victim to a phone scam, or given someone your Medicare number, call the Missouri SMP at 1-888-515-6565.

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

Aging Ahead
Aging Ahead supports individuals through the journey of aging.

Comments 44

  1. Daphne Phillips
    • Reply

    Thank you for the article and the phone number. I called to make sure my mom’s phone was listed, it wasn’t. It is now and so is my cellphone:)

  5. Angela
    • Reply

    Thanks. Posting the Donot call regisrty number is so important and helpful. It is a number i am able to share with other seniors who are not fortunate like me to have access to this program.

  15. margaret conners
    • Reply

    thanks for those numbers. we called the no call and have passed it to our friends.

  16. Helen Martin
    • Reply

    This info is very helpful. I get these calls everyday.

  19. Eva Fox
    • Reply

    Thank you for this needed information, scamming is totally out of control, people that perform this behavior reveals their self-centeredness.

  23. matias rodriguez
    • Reply

    thanks for the information, already somebody hurt me with a simple phone call, so sad…

  24. Mary Wilks
    • Reply

    Thank you for the information.It was very helpful,I will appy it.

  30. sandra kruse
    • Reply

    registering phone numbers now

    great info

    thank you

  33. Bobbie Magee
    • Reply

    Ms Bobbie has an email address but at age 87 has more difficulty remembering things, therefore as her Administrator and Daughter my email address is always given..

  34. Debbie Blackwell
    • Reply

    Great information hope everyone reads it.
    Don’t let these people take advantage of you.
    Always asks questions, good advise.

    Thank you

  37. Elaine
    • Reply

    Thanks for addressing an issue and help that is available to make our life a little safer.

  38. Leander Beatty Jr
    • Reply

    Excellent information. Thank you so much. FYI, one that you
    may wat to add is the old, tried and still alive Publisher’s Clearing House scam. Three times (including just two weeks ago), “someone” called, pretending to be from Publisher’sClearing House, advising me that I had win a prize! I almost fell for this the first time, but something told me to calll thd company first. They quickly said “no”, I didn’t win anything and transferredme to their Fraud Department to get the number of whomever called. Apparently, they are still out there scamming people. Please be vigilant and contact the company if you get one of these calls. It could save you a lot 0f time and troubke! Thank you.

  40. cat thigpen
    • Reply

    All very good information that I use and understand clearly.

  44. Bobbie Magee
    • Reply

    im in agreement with all this current info especially since my administrator/daughter tells me ALL……the time

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