Lubbock Man Targeted By Medicare Phone Scam

Harold and Edna Faye Wren, who declined to go on camera, received a phone call Monday morning telling them they were being issued new Medicare cards. All they had to do was give the caller their Medicare and social security numbers.

"He started to ask some information, but I told her to hang up before they got started. Because I wasn't going to give out anything, and told her not to give out anything over the phone," said Harold Wren.

The Wrens thought it was a scam, but called back just to make sure. 

"I called two or three times just to see and every time I called it said non-working number, so I knew something was wrong then," said Wren.

Greg Linder, President and CEO of the South Plains Better Business Bureau says he's seen this scam before.

"Really what they are doing is trying to get whatever information they can, so they can either try to steal your identity or steal your money, one of the two," said Linder.

Linder says there are ways to avoid being scammed:
        -Medicare usually contacts you through the mail, not over the phone
        -If you do receive a call, hang up and call the Medicare number yourself
        -Do not give out your bank account, social security, or Medicare number over the phone

"If you ever come across something that is questionable don't act on it, find somebody you know, call BBB,  talk to your kids, find somebody that you trust to ask about it and that way you can better protect yourselves," said Linder.

Wren says he wants other local seniors to be on the lookout, too.

"I want people to know that there is always a scammer out there to try to get a hold of you and especially elderly people because they're the ones they try it on more because they will do it not realizing," said Wren.

If you believe you have been a victim of this scam you can call the Better Business Bureau or the police for help in planning your next action.