Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt (R,C-Greenwood Lake) today warned seniors and disabled individuals to be aware of a scheme to defraud Medicare recipients.
“This scheme seeks to obtain information, from seniors and other Medicare benefit recipients, such as Social Security numbers and checking account information and offers to enroll them in a fictitious Medicare prescription drug plan,” said Assemblywoman Rabbitt. “No representative of any Medicare drug plan is allowed to ask for bank account or other personal information over the phone.”
Assemblywoman Rabbitt offers the following reminders:
- Recipients should never provide personal or financial information over the phone to any type of solicitor.
- No one is allowed to ask for personal financial information during marketing activities or calls.
- Questions and concerns about Medicare activities can be addressed by calling toll-free (800) MEDICARE (633-4227).
“Legitimate Medicare drug plans will not ask for payment over the telephone or Internet,” stressed Assemblywoman Rabbitt. “Monthly premiums are generally paid by automatic withdrawals from Social Security checks.”
Assemblywoman Rabbit encourages consumers to report suspected fraudulent Medicare activity to their local law enforcement agencies or by calling toll-free (877) 7SAFERX (772-3379). Assemblywoman Rabbitt can be reached at her district office at 41 High Street, Goshen, N.Y. 10924, or by calling (845) 291-3631.