Medicare scam phone calls reported

Fannin County, Texas -- Senior citizens should be aware that area residents are reporting that scammers are calling and claiming to be from Medicare! The scammers are pretending to gather information for a new Medicare card. BEWARE! Medicare never calls you unless you have called them and requested a call back, and neither does Social Security.

Be careful in taking any calls about Medicare or Insurance plans that require changes unless you are talking to your LOCAL AGENT.

Please never give out your social security number, Medicare number or date of birth, because scammers are very active.

Always consult with a trained and certified agent regarding Medicare plans. Many seniors have suffered after getting talked into plans that are not in their best interest.

“If something sounds too good to be true, you know it usually is,” warned Paula Galyon, a local insurance agent with Galyon Insurance in Bonham. “Medicare can be very complicated.”

The Inspector General for Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, wants everyone to know Social Security will never:

Suspend your Social Security number because someone else has used it in a crime.
Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.
Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or mailing cash.
Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
Send official letters or reports containing your personal information via email.

"Don’t believe anyone who calls you unsolicited from a government agency and threatens you — just hang up," Inspector General Ennis said. "They may use real names or badge numbers to sound more official, but they are not. We will keep updating you as scam tactics evolve — because public awareness is the best weapon we have against them."

Please report Social Security scams — or other Social Security fraud — via the OIG website.

"The most effective way to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams," adds Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner. "You should just hang up on any call you’re uncertain of and ignore suspicious emails. Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money and personal information by exploiting your fears."