Seniors Warned About Medicare Card Scams
Government-Issued Cards Not Available Until May
POSTED: 9:40 a.m. EST March 19, 2004
WASHINGTON -- Seniors who face rising drug costs may have another problem -- people trying to scam them with false Medicare discount cards.
The issue is rising as the federal government prepares to launch its much-awaited Medicare drug discount. Starting in May, qualifying seniors can buy a card giving them 10 to 25 percent
discounts on drugs.
The cards aren't out yet, but con artists are.
Eleven states are reporting cases where someone calls or knocks on doors at seniors' homes, saying they are enrolling people in the new program.
The person behind the scam then asks for personal information, like Social Security, credit card or banking numbers.
So how can people make sure they're not being had? For one, the real Medicare program will enroll people only by mail. The cards will cost $30 a year.
The AARP warns seniors to beware of anyone trying to sell Medicare prescription drug discount cards before May. The official cards won't be available until then, and they will carry a "Medicare Rx approved" logo.
"Never give your Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security number out to anyone you don't know, especially over the phone or to a stranger at your door," said Cindy Kadavy, of the Nebraska State Unit on Aging. "This number is as important as your credit card number and should be protected in a similar manner."
What Do You Think?
Previous Stories:
- March 12, 2004: Senators Try New Approach To Drug Reimportation
- March 4, 2004: Officials Say Medicare Changes Won't Harm Cancer Care
- December 8, 2003: Landmark Medicare Overhaul Becomes Law
- November 25, 2003: Drug Bill May Be Booster Shot For Bush Campaign
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Authorities release a chilling 911 call from a 19-year-old woman who hid in the back bedroom of a Central Florida home while four men attempted to break into the house.
An ex-wife of the man who found the remains of Caylee Anthony says that she thought her ex-husband was responsible for or involved in the girl's death.
Five people are dead after a mobile home fire broke out in Central Florida.
Officials question the credibility of a female deputy who called 911 in September to report a masked man had attacked her.
Dashcam video shows a Florida woman offering an officer sex instead of getting a ticket.
A 3-year-old boy was left stranded at a commuter train platform when a door on the train malfunctioned, separating the toddler from his dad. A good Samaritan stayed with the child until the father could return. (Nov. 20)
South Carolina police say an obese man died after not moving from his recliner for the past eight months. Police say the man's body was physically stuck to the chair and firefighters had to cut him out. He died a few hours later at the hospital.
A woman tired of hearing her son say he lost another sock has come up with an idea to prevent it from happening again.
An Oregon appeals court has ruled against an Oregon high school teacher who wants to take her gun to class. She has been battling for years and says she needs the gun for protection. (Nov. 20)
Thirty Victoria's Secret supermodels take over New York's Times Square this week.
Take a quick look at the flicks headed to your multiplex. Check out the trailer, too.
Get your daily dose of the cute and unusual right here.
Email Alerts
RSS News Feeds
Mobile
Live Streams
Slideshows
Video
Search
