Niobrara Cares - Cyber Tech Tip

The annual open enrollment period for healthcare insurance provides another opportunity for scammers to take advantage of. From gathering personal information to receiving payments for non-existent plans, criminals will try nearly anything to score. The signs of a scam aren’t always easy to spot. Here are some of the tactics that consumers should be on the lookout for.

Medicare

Be on the lookout for anyone calling that identifies themselves from the government to discuss your Medicare renewal.  They may ask for your social security number (SSN) or payment information.  There may be mention of a new card, different benefits, or a need to update your records and banking information.  This is always a scam.  Never give out personal information on a phone call. Hang up and report the call.  You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE to verify the legitimacy. The threat of cancelation without payment for a new card is another red flag.  You do not have to pay for a new card.  Period.

New Pricing & Quotes for Coverage

Providing personal information to get a quote for coverage is a tactic that scammers can use to gather information.  If you want to compare quotes for coverage, the Affordable Care Act has an official site at HealthCare.gov where patients can access prices. 

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