Scam Type
Healthcare/Medicaid/Medicare Scam
Business Name Used
Unavailable
Date Reported
January 26, 2024
Postal Code
57349
Total Dollars Lost
$ 0
Scam Description
Jan 8, 2024 at 11:37 am from 1-605-355-7312 (Western Comm Inc) Total Length of Call 20-25 mins
Asked to talk to my husband. I asked what about, and he proceeded to explain that new Medicare cards were being issued, and they needed to verify information. His questioning immediately turned to verifying my information. He told me a couple of times to look at the lower right bottom of my card, and I would see that the card was expiring. I said I don’t see any expiration date. He started raising his voice, and I started raising mine. I questioned every question he asked me like name on the Medicare card. He said a derivative of my name, and I said wrong. He kept asking so I finally told him my full name. He claimed he already had my Medicare # and needed verification. I said you tell me what you have, and I will verify. He convinced me through his talk to finally tell him what it was.
I asked him that If he was really from Medicare, why did the tel # come from Western Comm Inc? He said that was the number he was given to use. He said if I didn’t believe his intentions, I could call and verify his Gov’t Employees ID name & # which was Kenneth Williams, #996391. I maybe talked to him at least 10 mins. He said my new Medicare card should come in the mail in about 4 working days. I still haven’t received it. He also verified our address which he had (not sure how) and during the course of verifying information, he also asked for my height, weight, and primary care physician which I also gave them. They did not ask for my SSN or any bank account information.
Then he transferred me to his Supervisor who then started talking about my file that I have lower back pain (which I do), and since I have Medicare Part B it would cover a brace to wear. I would be required to receive a back brace at no cost since I had not already gotten one. I told him I didn’t want it, nor would I wear it. He said it didn’t matter, they would be sending it out. Within a few days someone would call and verify shipping instructions. I threatened to hang up on him a couple of times, but he said if I did, that they would have to suspend my Medicare Part B coverage. I said, Fine, then send it to me. I asked from what tel # someone would be calling because I don’t answer many of my phone calls if I don’t recognize the #. He said it would be 1-877-…… I didn’t get the rest of the number.
Two or three days later, I did answer a call (even though it didn’t come from a 1-877 number, and it was a woman saying that she was suppose to send me a back brace, and did I still want it. I said I never did want it, and I wouldn’t wear it. She said, OK, she would just cancel the order, and didn’t say anything about suspending my Medicare Part B insurance, and I didn’t think to ask.
I also asked a couple of times, since I had verified my information, didn’t they want to just verify my husband’s also. They said no, they would just call him at a later time. I’m glad they didn’t because if this is a scam and I firmly believe it is, then they would have both of our #’s. We have not answered a phone call that was referring to this situation. I have contacted Medicare, my local sheriff’s office, and my primary care physician.
