I always advise people B.S. – Be skeptical, so it is not surprising that many people are indeed skeptical when they receive a snail mail letter from Medicare containing a new Medicare card with a new ID number, but the truth is that Medicare has sent out 1.3 million new cards to people whose Medicare ID numbers were either compromised in a data breach or otherwise susceptible to fraud. The bad news is that scammers are also aware that Medicare is sending out new cards so scammers using AI to create the letters are also sending out new cards for purposes of identity theft or to swindle their victims out of money.
So how can you tell if the letter and card you receive is legitimate?
TIPS
The real letter from Medicare will come with a paper red, white and blue card with your new number. It does not require you to do anything to activate the card or verify your identity. Letters from scammers may require you to call a phony Medicare customer service number to activate your new card or verify your identity where you will be asked for your Social Security number, bank account information or asked for a payment of a fee. So if you are asked to do anything to verify your identity or activate your new card, it is a scam.
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