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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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😂.
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.
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!
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
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.
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.
