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Scammers often use public health emergencies as opportunities for new fraud schemes and because older adults are at greater risk for serious illness from COVID-19, they may target older populations.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) warns as the number of people and communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic grows, so do the scams associated with it. The SMP empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse.

SMP advises if you are experiencing potential symptoms of coronavirus, contact your own doctor. Do not give out your Medicare number, Social Security number or personal information in response to unsolicited calls, texts, emails, home visits or booths at health fairs and other public venues. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes as well.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health officials may contact you if they believe you may have been exposed to the virus. They will not need to ask you for insurance or financial information.

SMP advises that you should be suspicious of anyone going door-to-door to offer free coronavirus or COVID-19 testing, supplies or treatments. It is also recommended that seniors carefully review Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB), looking for errors or claims for products or services that weren’t received.

SMP can help with questions, concerns or complaints about potential fraud and abuse issues. It also provides information and educational presentations. To locate your local Senior Medicare Patrol,,call 1-877-808-2468 or visit www.smpresource.org.

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