Tips to stay safe from Medicare scammers

Open Enrollment for Medicare began on Oct. 15 and will run until Dec. 7. During This time, the Department of Insurance and Financial Services is warning against scams targeted toward senior citizens.

"Medicare Open Enrollment should be a time when Michigan's seniors can find security in enrolling in the coverage that is right for them, but unfortunately there are unscrupulous individuals using it as an opportunity to take advantage of seniors," DIFS Director Anita Fox said.

According to Fox, the most important thing to remember is to refuse to give out any personal information to solicitors including Social Security number or date of birth.

The DIFS and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have put together a list of tips to help those at risk from scammers during this period:

Medicare agents are not allowed to make unsolicited contact. This includes calls, text, voicemail or even in person contact.

Agents are not permitted to say that they are from Medicare or that they are calling on behalf of Medicare or that Medicare or any state or federal agency asked them to contact you.

Keep in mind that caller ID is not infallible. Scammers can manipulate caller ID to make them look legitimate.

The only time a Medicare ID number is required is while enrolling in a plan. Otherwise, any information on Medicare is freely available.

Ignore anyone who says that you must join their prescription drug plan or that you will lose your Medicare coverage.

Don't trust mailers that look like government communications. These may in fact be advertisements for private companies.

For any questions about Medicare or your coverage, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-633-4227.

If you or someone you know has experienced fraud like this, contact DIFS at Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints or call 877-999-6442.