TONEY, AL (WAFF) -
A Toney woman wants to alert other senior citizens about a potential phone
scam.
Peggy Stephens says she received a call from a person claiming to be with
Medicare and they wanted to let her know she would be getting new cards.
Stephens says she became suspicious because she knows Medicare doesn't call
customers unless they're contacted first.
She says when she asked questions, the caller began to mumble and make up
excuses. Stephens also requested his number so she could call him back, but she
said he hung up.
Representatives with the Better Business Bureau say this is a very common
scam, but it's very rarely reported. Representatives say the caller will ask
victims to verify their bank account information or give them their Medicare
number, which is the same as their social security number.
Stephens says she tries to stay alert of scams like these.
"I am always on guard, and I just usually hang up, but I never give out any
number over the phone," she said.
The Better Business Bureau says if you fell you may have been a victim, contact
Senior Patrol. They have a number for Medicare at 1(800) AGE-LINE or
1(800)243-5463. Or you can contact the Better Business Bureau nationally at
1(800) 239-1642.
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