Medicare Open Enrollment kicks off on October 15. By that time, scammers have usually wrapped up their preparatory work. The calls you’ll receive are part of a well-planned scam process.
The fake offers and urgent warnings are not just starting in mid-October; they’re concluding. Stay informed and make your family less vulnerable to scams.
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Understanding Dates that Trigger Scams
Two dates mark the season for Medicare and Social Security scams.
- October 15: This is when Medicare Open Enrollment starts, running until December 7. Beneficiaries receive numerous plan details, ads, and calls.
- October 14, 2026: The announcement of the Social Security COLA for 2027 is expected. These predictable events become a basis for scam strategies.
The Targeting Phase of Scams
Scammers don’t randomly start calling. Lists of targets are often prepared well in advance, using consumer data from marketing companies as a basis.
Epsilon’s Role in Targeting Vulnerable Americans
Epsilon Data Management’s role showed how scammers use consumer lists. Two former employees sold lists making numerous older individuals vulnerable to fraud. Epsilon paid $150 million in penalties and compensation.
Other Marketing Companies’ Involvement
Companies like KBM Group and Macromark have also sold data to scammers, leading to fines and legal actions. These were not obscure businesses, but well-established ones.
Creating Convincing Scams
Data brokers collect extensive personal details that turn generic calls into personalized scams. Information includes address history, financial details, and more, making a scam call sound genuine.
Protect Yourself Now, Not Later
Taking action before the scam season peaks can reduce your exposure. Removing personal info from data broker sites reduces the chance of scammers using your details.
Trends in Fraud Targeting Older Americans
A significant observation: 72% of scam cases involved online personal data exploitation, leading to $4.2 billion in losses in 2024. The number of reported cases rose by 45% in one year.
Preventative Measures You Can Take
- Search Yourself: Look up your name on people-search sites to see your digital footprint.
- Check for Relatives: Do the same searches for older family members.
- Submit Opt-Outs Now: By initiating this process in advance, you ensure time for data removal before scams peak.
- Use Data Removal Services: Automated services can efficiently handle data removal requests, monitoring changes regularly.
- Set a Family Password: Agree on a code word with older family members to verify the authenticity of surprise calls.
- Change Security Questions: Use answers that are not easily found online, store them in a password manager for safety.
Scams date around predictable events, such as the Medicare Open Enrollment or Social Security COLA announcements, suggest. Monitoring personal data exposure can make targeting harder for scammers.
Social Security COLAs and Medicare cards should be received without needing to provide personal details or payments. Being proactive makes you a less enticing target.
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