Jeffrey Wade
If you're receiving predatory medical insurance calls, you're not alone. Many people have reported receiving harassing phone calls from different numbers, with scammers often using phone spoofing technology to manipulate caller IDs. These callers may try to get your personal information, such as your Medicare or Social Security number, by offering free medical supplies or drugs in return. To stop these calls, you can register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry, use call-blocking apps, or report the companies to the FTC. Additionally, if you suspect fraud, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE or the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (I-MEDIC).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to identify predatory calls | Criminals pretend to be from Medicare or a legitimate healthcare insurance provider. They often use phone spoofing technology to manipulate your Caller ID. |
| How to block predatory calls | Use call-blocking apps, tools, and resources. |
| How to report predatory calls | File a complaint with the FCC. Report the companies to the FTC. |
| What information to give | Contact information, Personal Identifiable Information (PII) such as name, address, social security number, telephone number, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry
To register your number, go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY). You must call from the phone number you wish to register. If you register online, you will receive an email with a link that you must click on within 72 hours to complete your registration. Your number should appear on the registry the following day. Telemarketers have 31 days to stop calling you once you've registered.
It's important to note that the National Do Not Call Registry does not block calls. Registering will not prevent scammers from making illegal calls. To reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive, consider using call-blocking and call-labelling services.
Your number will remain on the registry indefinitely unless it is disconnected and reassigned or you request its removal.
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File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
If you are receiving predatory medical insurance calls, you can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC does not resolve individual unwanted call complaints but uses these complaints to inform policy decisions and potential enforcement actions against callers violating the rules under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act or Truth in Caller ID Act.
Before filing a complaint with the FCC, you should first try to resolve the problem directly with the company causing the issue. If you are unable to resolve the problem, you can then file an informal complaint with the FCC. This can be done by mail or online. If you choose to mail your complaint, include your name, address, contact information, and as much detail about your complaint as possible. Send this to the following address:
> Federal Communications Commission
> Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
> Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
> 45 L Street NE
> Washington, DC 20554
If you file an informal complaint, there are no complicated legal procedures, filing charges, or requirements for you to appear before the FCC. The FCC may send your complaint to your service provider to help resolve the issue. In this case, the service provider is required to respond within 30 days of receiving the complaint. They must send their response in writing to both you and the FCC. The service provider may also contact you directly to resolve the complaint.
In some cases, the FCC does not have the authority to resolve an individual complaint. However, by submitting a detailed complaint, the FCC can provide additional resources to guide you through possible next steps.
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Report Medicare fraud by calling 1-800-MEDICARE
If you receive predatory medical insurance calls, you can report Medicare fraud by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). This is the first step you can take to address any concerns or suspicions you may have about fraudulent activity. Additionally, if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan, you can also report any issues by contacting the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (I-MEDIC) at 1-877-772-3379.
When dealing with such calls, it is important to protect your personal information. Guard your Medicare card and Medicare Number as you would a credit card. Never give your Medicare card, Medicare Number, Social Security card, or Social Security Number to anyone except your doctor or authorized individuals, such as insurers acting on your behalf or those working with Medicare, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
To prevent unwanted calls and potential fraud, you can register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. This service is free of charge and can be done by calling 1-888-382-1222 (for voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (for TTY). Telemarketers are required to remove your number from their call lists and stop calling you within 31 days of registration. Additionally, you can explore call-blocking solutions offered by your phone service provider or third-party tools, such as Samsung's Smart Call, to proactively block suspicious calls.
If you believe you have received illegal or fraudulent calls, you can also file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC uses these complaints to inform policy decisions and take potential enforcement actions against callers violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act or the Truth in Caller ID Act. You can also report unwanted text messages by forwarding them to 7726 ("SPAM"). Remember, it is important to hang up immediately if you receive a suspicious call and never provide your personal information unless you are certain of the caller's legitimacy.
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Avoid giving out personal information
To avoid giving out personal information over the phone, it is important to be cautious about what you share. Never share your Social Security number, as this can be used to apply for credit or gain access to your financial institutions and accounts. Similarly, avoid giving out your debit or credit card number unless you initiated the call and are certain that the other party is legitimate. Be wary of criminals pretending to represent a legitimate company to gain your personal information.
It is also important to be cautious when giving out your full name, birth date, and address over the phone. Only share this information when you have initiated the call and are certain of the other party's identity. Avoid giving out this information if you receive an unexpected call or call back a number that was left by email or voicemail. The goal is to minimise the amount of personal information you share to reduce the risk of theft and fraud.
Additionally, be cautious of phishing scams, where criminals use emails and messages to try to obtain your Social Security number, passwords, and financial information. Pretexting is another scam where criminals use phone calls to get your personal information under false pretenses. They may gather and sell your information to other individuals or criminal companies that will use it for fraudulent activities.
To protect yourself, consider using call-blocking tools and registering your numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry. Be vigilant about unknown numbers, and hang up immediately if you feel uncomfortable or sense suspicious activity.
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Use call-blocking apps
Call-blocking apps are an effective way to manage and block unwanted calls. These apps are easily accessible and available for both iOS and Android phones. They are designed to identify who is calling and block the call if the number is listed as unknown or unfamiliar.
There are several call-blocking apps to choose from, each with unique features. Truecaller, for instance, has a number repository of over 2 billion records collected from users' contact lists worldwide. It accesses your phone book and appends the numbers to its database. Hiya, formerly known as White Pages Caller ID and Call Blocker, analyzes over 3 billion calls monthly to provide context for incoming calls. Should I Answer? is another app that categorizes numbers into groups for better filtering and claims to add 30,000 new reviews to its database daily. This app is exclusive to Android phones. Call Control, available for both Android and iOS, provides a reverse phone lookup along with call blocking and SMS blocking. It has an intuitive interface and works with a community blocklist that identifies scam numbers through user reports.
Some apps offer additional features such as blocking by country code or number series, diverse language support, and schedule blocking. Some allow you to filter numbers by prefix, blocking numbers that start with a certain string of digits. Certain apps also offer caller ID services, and some provide a one-touch toggle to activate and deactivate call blocking.
It is important to note that some apps may charge a fee for certain features, such as auto-blocking for spam calls. Additionally, some apps require access to your contacts and call data, which may be a concern for privacy-conscious individuals. Always review an app's privacy policy to understand how it handles your information.
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Frequently asked questions
Predatory medical insurance calls are unsolicited sales calls from telemarketing insurance agencies. These calls often use aggressive and persuasive tactics to sell fake insurance discount programs.
You can register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry by calling 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY). Alternatively, you can register at donotcall.gov. Telemarketers are required to remove your number from their call lists within 31 days of registration.
If you continue to receive unwanted calls after registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, the calls are likely coming from scammers. You can try using call-blocking apps or features offered by your phone service provider to prevent these calls from reaching you. Additionally, you can report the companies to the FTC.
Predatory medical insurance callers often use spoofing technology to manipulate your Caller ID, making it appear as if they are calling from a local number or a legitimate healthcare insurance provider. They may also try to create a sense of urgency or offer free medical supplies in exchange for your personal information, such as your Medicare or credit card number.
If you suspect Medicare fraud, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or report it online. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan, you can also contact the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (I-MEDIC) at 1-877-772-3379.
