AG warns of medicare, medicaid scam

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office is warning people on Medicare or Medicaid about a phone scam sweeping the area.

According to the Attorney General's office, the scammer calls the victim offering free medical equipment or services, then asks for their Medicare or Medicaid numbers.

Once scam artists get a hold of those numbers, the attorney general's office says it is like stealing a credit card.

"They cam just continue to bill Medicare or Medicaid until it's found out as a fraud," said Jim Dube, the head of the Medicaid Fraud Unit. "By then, they're gone."

The attorney generals' office says Medicare and Medicaid fraud is increasing at alarming rates.

To protect against fraud, the attorney general's office says Medicare and Medicaid recipients should read their explanation of benefits paperwork carefully, and immediately report any suspicious charges to their doctors.

For more on reporting Medicare or Medicaid fraud, click here