Medicare Open Enrollment began Oct. 15 and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are warning Michigan seniors to be on the lookout for Medicare scams targeting them and their personal information.

Medicare Open Enrollment extends to Dec. 7. During this time, scammers posing as Medicare “representatives” may contact seniors and try to trick them into giving Medicare ID numbers or other personal information, such as a Social Security number or date of birth.

“Medicare Open Enrollment should be a time when Michigan’s seniors can find security in enrolling in the coverage that is right for them, but unfortunately there are unscrupulous individuals using it as an opportunity to take advantage of seniors,” DIFS Director Anita Fox said. “The most important thing Medicare participants can do to avoid these scams is to refuse to give out personal information to anyone reaching out to them over the phone, online, or at their front doors.”

DIFS and MDHHS offers these tips to guard seniors against scams during this Open Enrollment:

Remember that Medicare agents/brokers selling Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plans —

— Cannot make unsolicited calls, send unsolicited text messages or leave voicemail messages;

— May not approach you without you giving permission first — such as door to door, walking up to cars and approaching in parks and supermarkets — or market to you door to door, including leaving materials at a doorstep, and;

— No agent is permitted to state they are from Medicare, are approved, endorsed or authorized by Medicare, call on behalf of Medicare or say that Medicare or any state or federal agency asked them to call or see you.

Do not rely on caller ID. Scammers can use technology to make it look like they are calling from a legitimate business or government agency.

Never give your Medicare number or other personal information to callers or visitors saying they are from Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will never call or send someone to your home to ask for personal information or check your Medicare number.

You are always able to get information on Medicare plans without providing an ID number. The only time the Medicare ID number is required is when you are actually enrolling in a plan.

Ignore anyone who contacts you saying you must join their prescription drug plan or you will lose your Medicare coverage. There may be a penalty if you delay enrolling in the Medicare prescription drug plan (also known as Part D) but that coverage is voluntary.

Don’t trust mailers that appear to be government communications. Sometimes these are advertisements for private companies that may have a disclaimer buried in small print.

DIFS and MDHHS urge anyone with questions or concerns about Medicare coverage contact Medicare directly at Medicare.gov or by calling 800-633-4227.

Insurance fraud, including Medicare fraud, results in higher health care costs for participants and taxpayers alike. That is why it’s so important seniors know how to protect their Medicare card and number.

Anyone who experiences this type of scam or high-pressure tactic or knows someone who did can contact DIFS at Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints or by calling 877-999-6442 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to file a complaint.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services also provides consumer protection, outreach, and financial literacy and education services. For more information, go to Michigan.gov/DIFS or follow the Department on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.