FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Friday, May 4, 2018

CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215 

PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning South Dakota Medicare beneficiaries to avoid falling victim of scams associated with the new Medicare card. Medicare is in the process of replacing old cards that were identified by social security numbers with a new unique number to reduce fraud. 

“Medicare began mailing new cards nationwide in April, however, South Dakota is not slated to start receiving cards until June 2018,” said Jackley. “Medicare will not call you to verify whether you have received your new card or not. If you receive a call stating they are Medicare, simply hang up.”

The fraudsters will try to convince you that you will lose your Medicare benefits if you fail to provide the last four digits of your social security number immediately.  The fraudsters may also promise a quick delivery of your the new card for a fee or exchange of personal identifying information. The bottom line is, no one can speed up this process that Medicare has put into place and they are the lone distributors of the new card.  In addition, there is not charge for the replacement card. 

If you have questions concerning the new card, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-300-1986 or consumerhelp@state.sd.us.

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