Possible Medicare Scam Hits Port Washington

The Port Washington Police Department is investigating a phone scam involving Medicare benefits, according to a press release from the department.

The department received information from an elderly citizen who stated that she received a phone call from a male subject who identified himself as being with Medicaid and Medicare, according to the release.

The caller informed the citizen that changes were being made to the program and he needed information from her, and she provided him with her checking account information.  He told her that he would need her to withdraw $300 from her checking account to cover the cost of the Medicaid/Medicare changes.  She did not believe that to be accurate and did not provide the caller with any additional information.

She contacted her bank and advised them to close her checking account, and she did not lose any money.

This incident prompted the department to remind residents not to provide callers with any personal identification information. Medicare will not ask for payment, personal information or bank account information over the phone.