Be on the lookout! It’s fraud season for Medicare

t’s open enrollment season for Medicare, which also means it’s Medicare fraud season. Eligible beneficiaries have until Dec. 7 to shop around and make changes to their Medicare health and Part D prescription drug plans. Unfortunately, some of the deals offered won’t be deals at all.

Just like in other years, Medicare scams spike during open enrollment season (which began Oct. 15)  with criminals posing as insurance providers calling and emailing about free gifts or limited-time offers. These scams are all designed to steal your money, Medicare information, or your identity.

Be suspicious and don’t share sensitive personal information with anyone who calls, emails, or visits you out of the blue promoting a Medicare plan. Legitimate Medicare plans can only contact you if you’ve requested information or if you have an existing relationship with them. Beneficiaries can safely compare legitimate plans and change enrollment by going to medicare.gov or by calling 800-633-4227.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

AARP Fraud Watch Network™ is a free resource for everyone - Medicare beneficiary of not. Learn how to proactively spot scams or get guidance if you’ve been targeted. Visit aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call AARP’s dedicated helpline to speak to a fraud specialist at 877-908-3360.

With about 1 million members in Virginia, AARP is the largest organization working on behalf of people age 50+ and their families in the Commonwealth. To learn more about how AARP Virginia is working in your community, like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on X at http://www.X.com/aarpva.

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit http://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/ www.a,arp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.