Getting unwanted calls about Medicare? There’s an easy way to make it stop
By Michelle Waldron, Independent Agent; Health Insurance for Seniors
Are the annoying and unwanted Medicare calls and texts from solicitors making you feel insane? It seems as if they are completely out of hand lately, making it such a pain to answer your phone. Guess what? There are a few simple things you can do to make it stop.
The FCC is committed to protecting you from these “bad actors” through a national Do Not Call (DNC) list. Companies must remove phone numbers before they start their call campaigns if they are on the list. If they call the numbers on the list, fines can be up to $10,000 per occurrence.
To get on this list, you can visit DoNotCall.gov and enter your phone number(s), then you will receive an email to verify the request. Once completed, you will be added to the list the next month. Bonus: Your registration never expires. If you would rather call to be placed on the list, you can call 1-888-382-1222. There is no cost involved in putting your number on the DNC list.
Calls that are not permitted, and considered in violation of FCC policy, include those occurring before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., ones made to you after you’re listed on the registry, calls from fake or randomized numbers (spoofing), and calls from entities pretending to be Medicare or other government agencies.
“Spoofing” is when a caller deliberately falsifies their information to your caller ID to trick you into answering. For instance, scammers often use local numbers you’d recognize, or a company or government agency you might be familiar with. If you answer, they use scam scripts to try to steal your money or personal information, which can be used in fraudulent activity.
Once you are on the DNC list, if someone reaches out to you and you did not request the outreach or you are not doing business with the company, you can file a complaint with the FCC. To do this, you only need four pieces of information that can be easily found on your caller ID (date and time of call, who called you, and what number was showing on the caller ID). If you have more detailed information, that’s even better, but it is not required.
You can file the complaint by visiting ConsumerComplaints.fcc.gov. When completing online, one of the questions asked will be “Did the call/message that you are reporting advertise any type of property, goods, or services?” If the call is regarding Medicare, this is considered a “service.”
When you file a complaint, first you’ll receive an email with confirmation it was received. Then you may be contacted by an FCC representative who will review the complaint and send it to the service provider, which is required to respond in writing within 30 days. And if you receive the response but feel it was insufficient, you can send rebuttal information to the FCC.
Feel free to call me with any questions about your situation and how it relates to Medicare.
As an independent agent with Health Insurance for Seniors, Michelle Waldron specializes in Medicare and health insurance solutions. She works with major carriers and helps clients understand their Medicare options and how to avoid misconceptions and penalties. Call 216-387-3293 or email her at mwaldronmedicare@gmail.comto schedule a free consultation. For more information, visit MedicarewithMichelle.com.