Fraud Alert: Oklahoma seniors targeted by telephone phone scam

Story by Staff Report on March 21, 2013 . Click on author name to view all articles by this author. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

 

 


Staff Report


Senior citizens in southwestern Oklahoma are being targeted with a phone scam concerning Medicare cards. This scam is specifically targeting seniors because they are the ones who would have and rely on Medicare cards, according


Callers are informing seniors there are new Medicare cards being sent but information for direct deposit is needed. The scammer asks which bank the senior uses and then provides its routing number before demanding the account number from the senior.  Routing numbers, the first set of numbers on the bottom of the check, are available online to the general public and allows scammers to give the impression they are officials of Medicare. When the scammers encounter resistance to provide an account number, they will threaten to withhold the “new Medicare” card.


“Just remember, though these scammers may initially sound official, a representative from Medicare will never ask for your private financial information by phone,” said Elaine Dodd, Oklahoma Bankers Association vice president – fraud. “If someone seems pushy and makes you uncomfortable, trust your gut instinct, hang up and reach out for assistance from your family or bank.”


There is no new Medicare card and no need to share account information for direct deposit. You will not lose any benefits despite what the callers try to make you believe. If you have given your account information to someone you initially believed to be with Medicare, contact your bank and they will help you change or monitor your account.