Protect Yourself from Identity Theft and Fraud

Only give personal information to doctors, other providers, and Medicare plans approved by Medicare, and to people in the community who work with Medicare, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program or Social Security.   Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you aren't sure if a provider is approved by Medicare. If you think someone is using your personal information, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, or the Fraud Hotline of the HHS Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). TTY users should call 1-800-377-4950, or the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft Hotline at 1-877-438-4338 to make a report (TTY users should call 1-866-653-4261). For more information about identity theft, visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft on the web. Medicare plans can't ask for credit card or banking information over the telephone, unless you are a member of that plan. In most cases, Medicare plans can't call you to enroll in a plan; instead, you must call them. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report any plans that ask for your personal information over the telephone or that call you to enroll in a plan. Note: Medicare plans that are offering demonstrations or pilot programs are allowed to call you to see if you want to enroll. For more information about demonstrations and pilot programs, see "Demonstrations/Pilot Programs". (Primary Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Medicare and You Handbook 2007. This content may have been added upon by Q1Group LLC to include further examples, explanations, and links.)