Isabella County Warned About Fraudulent Calls

In Michigan, an Isabella County Sheriff is warning people to be wary of a telephone scam under the guise of a Medicare validation.

Apparently, people have been receiving fraudulent calls from someone claiming to represent Medicare. The Sheriff is advising citizens, particularly seniors and individuals with disabilities, to be cautious if asked for certain personal information over the phone.

According to the Sheriff, the caller will allege that they are calling from Medicare, and that the recipient’s Medicare card needs to be updated in the next 30 days in order to remain valid. The caller will assure the recipient that updating the card is free, and all that is required is the individual’s bank account, Social Security, and Medicare numbers.

However, be aware that Medicare shouldn’t ask you this information via a telephone call, and they don’t ask for payments over the phone. The caller is counting on victims not knowing Medicare’s privacy procedures or their own rights, and on being easy targets for financial or identity theft. Identity theft is when people use someone else’s information (without their consent) to commit crimes, including fraud. It can happen when people have access to someone else’s personal information.

To protect yourself, whether you live in Michigan or any other State, don’t ever give out personal information to unknown callers. Your social security number, Medicare number, banking account numbers, and credit card numbers/expiry dates can all be used to steal from you or to commit crimes using your information.

If you live in the Isabella County area and have received a call from someone asking for your personal information, call the Sheriff Department at (989) 772-5911.

If you live anywhere in America and you suspect you may be a victim of identity theft, call the Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477, or the Federal Trade Commission’s ID Theft Hotline at 1-877-438-4338.