Floridians are beginning to receive their new Medicare cards. Unlike the old cards, your new card will not display your Social Security number. Instead, you will have a unique “Medicare Beneficiary Number.” (Note that if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, the new card does not replace that plan’s card.)
The new cards are designed to deter identity theft and fraud. Predictably, the new cards have themselves have generated a number of new scams. Medicare benefiaries should be aware that it does not cost anything to receive the new card and nothing needs to be done or provided to the Medicare office.
Some tips to avoid scammers
- The Medicare office will NOT call you. Give out no information on the phone.
- If you get an email asking you to click on medicare.COM, don’t do it. The official Medicare website is medicare.GOV
- Ignore anyone saying that you need to pay money to get your new card.
- Ignore Insurance agents who say you can get your new card sooner if you meet with him/her.
- Never give out your Social Security number.
- Shred your old card once you receive your new card.
If you are solicited by a potential scammer, report it by calling 1-800-Medicare.
If you haven’t received your card, call 1-800-Medicare.
If you need to update your address, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or go to the Social Security website, www.ssa.gov.
