Medicare scammers taking advantage of elderly

CLARK COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) - Experts say Medicare scammers are turning up the heat, looking to take advantage of the elderly.

President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau, John North, said he is receiving more complaints concerning Medicare scams than ever.

"In this particular scam from what we're hearing, it is resurfacing. Its been around for a while, but now coming back to life. We've been contacted by seniors in our area and all across North America that they've received a phone call," said North.

Julie Hablitzel is a Medical Claims Coordinator with the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program.  Hablitzel said one of her clients at the United Senior Services was contacted by a Medicare scammer.

"She had gotten a phone call.  The man had a foreign accent, and he asked her for private information because Medicare was going to make new cards and send them out. Medicare does not work like that," said Hablitzel.

Hablitzel said her client could have been scammed out of hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

Hablitzel said Medicare does not hire somebody to call you, nor do they send anyone to your door.  She said never give your private information over the phone.