Thune Warns Seniors Against Phony Medicare Calls

Thune Warns Seniors Against Phony Medicare Calls
Scam Swindles Seniors, Promising Fake Benefits, Cards

Senator John Thune today issued the following statement warning South Dakota Medicare beneficiaries to be on the lookout for fraudulent phone calls associated with the "$299 Ring" scheme, in which callers contact Medicare beneficiaries promising a new prescription drug card for a flat fee of $299, and request bank account numbers that are then used to electronically withdraw the money. A new variation on the scheme requests higher amounts of money in exchange for a new Medicare card, instead of a prescription drug plan.

"South Dakota seniors with Medicare should be extremely wary of suspicious calls regarding the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Any calls requesting personal banking information should be terminated and reported immediately," Thune said. "Medicare rules prohibit anyone representing the agency from calling a beneficiary and asking for bank account or other personal information, or cash payment, over the telephone. Any beneficiaries who have received questionable calls or have concerns regarding the scam should call 1-877-7SAFERX, a hotline set up by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services."

http://thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=290&Month=6&Year=2006