March 19, 2024
Annapolis, US 36 F

Senior Scam Alert

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, the county Department of Aging and Disabilities received a call from a Medicare Beneficiary in Gambrills. On Monday she said she received a call from a company identifying themselves as SMG . The number on the caller ID was unavailable. They told her that Medicare was issuing new cards and that their company SMG had been given a contract to verify information and collect payment information from beneficiaries.

According to the reporting beneficiary, the person on the phone already knew her Social Security number, her name and home address.  She was asked to provide her bank information like the name of the institution and her account number, and she did. She was told it will cost $48 for the new card and they will take it out from her bank account.

She discussed this with her family and they realized it could be fraud and then she called the Department, which informed the county police and her bank. The Department also has reported this scam to several other agencies to try to prevent fraudulent charges to Medicare and potential identity theft.

The Department of Aging and Disabilities reminds the public to not provide private personal information to anyone who calls you. For information, call SHIP at the Department at 410-222-4464.

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