Watch out for these Phone Scams📵🤑😱!

Greetings and may this blog post find you in amazing health with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working properly😄.

Remember to email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar if you are having issues with your Medicare coverage or you get a weird call from a scammer!

Speaking of the devil, my wife Quantz got this text on her phone! It was totally bogus but it sure looked legit!

A text message that appears to be a scam.

As we get older, we become prime targets for scammers who use clever tricks to steal money, personal information, and peace of mind.

Here are some of the most common scams we are hearing about and how to avoid them. Are you ready to learn?

And don’t worry about clients Becky and Joe traveling in South America… they did not try to buy the Iguazu Waterfalls, nor have they fallen for any scams!

A nice looking lady standing in front of Iguazu Waterfalls.

Medicare Scams:

  • Scammers call pretending to be Medicare representatives, claiming they need to “verify” or “update” your information to keep your benefits active. They may request your Medicare number or Social Security number.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Medicare will never call you unexpectedly or ask for your personal details over the phone. If in doubt, hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.Looks like Joe is learning how to blend in with the locals!

Joe posting between two colorful performers.

Medical Equipment Scams:

  • Fraudsters offer “free” medical devices, such as back braces or wheelchairs, in exchange for your Medicare number. They then bill Medicare for services you never received.

 

How to Protect Yourself:

  • If you didn’t request medical equipment, it’s likely a scam. Speak to your doctor before accepting any medical device offers.

 

Don’t be a sitting duck! Always hang up and verify independently!

White ducks and black ducks swimming in a pond.

Medicare Renewal Scam:

  • Scammers claim that your Medicare card is expiring and you must provide personal information to receive a new one.

 

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Medicare cards do not expire. If you need a replacement, or your Medicare number was stolen, request one through the official Medicare website or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

 

Sometimes you just have to wake up and smell the flowers!

Colorful flowers.

Social Security Scams:

  • Fraudsters claim to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA), stating that your benefits will be suspended due to suspicious activity.

 

How to Protect Yourself:

  • The SSA will never threaten to suspend benefits over the phone or demand payment via gift cards or wire transfers.

A beautiful vista with buildings in the distance.

IRS and Tax Scams:

  • Scammers pose as IRS agents, threatening lawsuits or arrests unless you pay a fake tax bill.

 

How to Protect Yourself:

  • The IRS does not call to demand immediate payment or ask for financial information over the phone. If someone calls and demands payment, hang up and wait for an official IRS letter in the mail.

A man with three small black dogs.
The Grandparent Scam:

  • Scammers call pretending to be a grandchild in distress, asking for money to get out of trouble.

 

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Always verify the caller’s identity by asking personal questions only your real grandchild would know. Take a deep breath, and call your kids. If your grandkids are in trouble, they will know!

 


Bonus tip:

  • Just because you can eat street tacos doesn’t mean you should! Montezuma had his revenge😂. 

Karl eating tacos on the street.

Tech Support Scam:

  • A screen pop-up or phone call warns that your computer is infected and urges you to call “tech support” to fix it.

 

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Microsoft, Apple, or other tech companies will never call you about a virus on your computer. If you get a pop up on your screen, close the browser, turn off your phone or computer, and restart the device. If the warning persists, call Apple/Android customer service or check in with a reputable local repair center.

 

You can also do what my buddy Mario does: he laughs at everything and gets lots of exercise.

People bicycling on a busy street.

Final Tips for Staying Safe:

  • Never give personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call.
  • Don’t trust caller ID—scammers can spoof numbers to appear legitimate.
  • Monitor your financial accounts regularly for unauthorized transactions.
  • Report scams to the proper authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

By staying vigilant and informed, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to these scams. Plato is counting on you to be careful!

Sus and Plato together.

Keep squeezing the juice out of life and look for ways to help others!

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
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Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 10 organizations that offer 50 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65, the nationally recognized Medicare insurance expert.

Do I really need a Medicare Part D Drug Plan?

As a Medicare Insurance Broker, this is a question I get all the time: Do I really need a Medicare Part D drug plan?

The answer is, “you bet your sweet bippie.”

Check out this video that identifies why.

Part D Medicare Insurance is designed to protect Medicare recipients against catastrophic drug costs.

Just because you’re not taking expensive drugs currently doesn’t mean you couldn’t be surprised with an expensive medication later, not to mention a penalty.

Here is your guide to Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.

You are also welcome to email your questions to Karl@TheBig65.com or just book a time on my calendar and we’ll get your questions answered.

Let me know how we can help!

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a licensed sales agent with no affiliation to Medicare, CMS or any governmental organization.


The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

How to Understand Medicare

If you are new to Medicare or you have to sign up for Medicare soon, it can be overwhelming!

Check out the video below and you will understand how all the Medicare components work.

Of course, if you’d like to talk to real person, click here to book a time on my calendar and we’ll get your questions answered.

In summary:

Part A covers Hospital.
Part B covers Medical.
Part C is Medicare Advantage Plans.
Part D is for prescription drugs.

To download a copy, visit this link for the Medicare & You Shoppers Guide.

You are also welcome to email your questions Karl@TheBig65.com and let us know how we can help.

Talk Soon!

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a licensed sales agent with no affiliation to Medicare, CMS or any governmental organization.


The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

Here’s what you need to know about Medicare and COVID-19

There’s quite a bit of false information swirling about the Corona Virus, and here’s the good news: There are no out of pocket cost for Medicare COVID-19 Lab Tests.

Check out the video for details.

Here’s the Bad News:

“Older People may be twice as like likely
to have a serious COVID 19-Illness.”

Here are the precautions you need to take:

• Avoid contact w/ people who are sick.
• Wash your hands (really wash them).
• Avoid high touch surfaces.
• Avoid poorly ventilated areas and crowds.
• Don’t touch your face .
• Defer all cruises and non-essential travel.
• Stock up on groceries and over the counter
medical supplies and groceries.

Here’s the good news:

Most people will be able to recover at home. Here’s
the Medicare information you need.

• There are no out of pocket costs for Medicare
COVID-19 Lab tests.
• Medicare covers all “Medically necessary
hospitalizations,” including a COVID-19
diagnosis, and post treatment hospital
quarantine.
• There is NO VACCINE yet. If one is created,
IT WILL BE COVERED UNDER PART D.
• Medicare covers “virtual check-ins,” so
you may be able to connect virtually.

Be sure to call your insurance carrier for details
but here is the link for the Medicare information
on COVID-19:

bit.ly/COVID-19MEDICAREINFO

Book a time on my calendar below if you have questions.


The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.