HUNTERDON COUNTY, N.J. — Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown is urging seniors and their families to remain vigilant as reports of fraudulent Medicare-related scam calls continue to increase.
Brown said scammers often pose as Medicare representatives and use persuasive tactics to obtain personal information from victims.
“To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, never share any personal information over the phone,” Brown said. “Instead, anyone receiving a suspicious call should hang up and contact Medicare directly to verify any requests.”
Alyssa DeLuca, manager of the county’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program, said scam activity rose significantly during the recent Medicare Open Enrollment period and cautioned that vigilance remains important year-round.
Seniors and their families are encouraged to take several precautions, including allowing unknown calls to go to voicemail, blocking suspicious numbers and avoiding sharing personal information online or by phone unless they initiate contact using a trusted number.
Officials also recommend regularly reviewing call logs and messages to remove unfamiliar communications. Authorities said scammers may use partial personal information to make fraudulent calls appear legitimate.
“Seniors, please guard your personal information,” Brown said. “Scammers don’t take a break, so neither should our awareness.”
Residents who receive suspicious calls are advised to hang up immediately and contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). For questions about coverage or benefits, residents can also contact the Hunterdon County Department of Human Services’ SHIP counselors. Officials said SHIP counselors are fully booked through the end of 2025, with appointments available beginning in January by calling 908-788-1361.
