Goddard warns of Medicare scam


Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 3:06 PM MST


Attorney General Terry Goddard today warned consumers of a phone solicitation scam targeting Arizona’s seniors.


The Attorney General’s Office has learned that Arizonans have received calls from scam artists claiming to be their Medicare representative. They are told that Medicare has come out with a new card that would allow them to pay a one-time fee of $389 rather than their monthly Part B premium.

The caller then asks for the person’s bank account number and Social Security number.

This is a scam! These phone calls are fraudulent and an attempt to steal personal identifying information and personal financial information. Medicare does not initiate calls or solicitations.

Goddard offered the following tips:

*  Be wary of callers who insist on getting your personal information. If you are being pressured, hang up.

*  Never give out personal information, such as your Social Security number, bank account numbers or credit card numbers, to anyone you do not know.

*  Report any suspicious calls to the Attorney General’s Office at 602-542-5763.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at 602.542.5763; in Tucson at 520.628.6504; or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 1.800.352.8431. To file a complaint in person, the Attorney General’s Office has 36 satellite offices throughout Arizona with volunteers available to help. Locations and hours are posted on the Attorney General’s Web site at www.azag.gov.

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

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