Do Not Provide Benefit Information Over the Phone
While many of us are spending more time at home during the pandemic, you may have heard reports of an increase in telephone scams. This is a reminder that you should not provide personal information such as Social Security number, credit card information, bank account information or medical benefit information to an unsolicited caller.
The PEBTF received a report about a call from “the Wellness Center.” If you receive a call from “the Wellness Center” telling you they will send you a prescription drug cream and bill your plan, please do not provide any information.
This Wellness Center is not a division of CVS Caremark and is not acting on behalf of CVS Caremark. Your physician should be the only one prescribing medications for you.
If you should happen to receive a call similar to what was reported above, please contact the PEBTF’s Fraud area via the Contact the PEBTF section of www.pebtf.org or call the PEBTF at 1-800-522-7279.
Medicare Members: Look out for COVID-19 Scams
Unfortunately, scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to try to steal your Medicare Number, personal information, and money. And they're using robocalls, social media posts, and emails to do it.
Remember, if anyone reaches out to get your Medicare Number or personal information in exchange for something, you can bet it's a scam.
Be on the lookout, so you can stop scams before they happen. Here are recent Coronavirus scams to watch for:
- Robocalls offering you respiratory masks they'll never send.
- Social media posts fraudulently seeking donations for non-existent charities, or claiming to give you stimulus funds if you enter your bank account information.
- Fake testing kits, cures, "immunity" pills, and offers for protective equipment.
Visit Medicare.gov/fraud for more information and tips on preventing Medicare scams and fraud.
Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services(CMS)
Watch for COVID-19 Vaccine Scams - Information for All Members
As the country begins to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, there's no doubt scammers are already scheming.
Medicare covers the COVID-19 vaccine so there will be no cost to you. If anyone asks you to share your Medicare Number or pay for access to the vaccine, you can bet it's a scam.
Here's what to know
- You can't pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine.
- You can't pay to get early access to a vaccine.
- Don't share you personal or financial information if someone calls, texts, or emails you promising access to the vaccine for free
If you come across a COVID-19 vaccine scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE And check out the CDC.gov for trustworthy information on the COVID-19 vaccine.
