I got a call yesterday from someone, supposedly from Medicare, wanting to "update my profile". I often try to have some fun with them. Usually they hang up at the first false note. But this one just kept going no matter what I said. He was really determined to get me to tell him my Medicare number, presumably to file false claims with.
This also shows some unexpected sophistication in their approach.
Here is, from memory, some excepts, the full call has much more, going on for maybe 20 minutes.
Scammer: Have you had you Covid shots?
Me: You should know that, you paid for them.
Scammer: We need this to update your profile.
Me: Prove that you are from Medicare. Give me my Medicare number.
Scanner: I can't do that, but I can give you the sequence.
Me: What do you mean.
Scammer: The sequence of letters and numbers. Your number starts with a number, then a letter, then 2 numbers, right?
Me: Yes, that is correct, but I think everyone's is the same.
Scammer: No, I give you the sequence.
Me: Okay, what is my full name.
Scammer: Robert <correct last name and address>
Me: and my birthday
Scammer: <correct birth day> (this is a getting a bit scary)
Scammer: so give me your Medicare number.
Me: No, I can't do that. Medicare tells me I should not give out my number to callers.
Scammer: But I am from Medicare. It is true!
Me: And I am from the CIA, it is true! I am keeping you on the phone so we can locate you.
expect to see our agents in about an hour.
Scammer: laughs. (I guess he is beginning to get it at this point, but he still persists)
Me: What part of China are you in?
Scammer: laughs. I am in Florida.
Scammer: Give me your doctor's last name.
Me: You should know that.
Scammer: I do, but I need to verify.
Me: Okay, give me her first name.
Scammer: If you give me the last name, I will give you the first name.
Me: (making it up) Simmons.
Scammer: spell it. (I do)
Scammer: Okay her first name is Jessica. (and her address, which is the hospital two blocks from my house, I looked it up, she is real, though it was Simons instead of Simmons)
Me: Can you get me some equipment I need?
Scammer, with renewed enthusiasm: Yes! What do you need?
Me: A 9mm semi-automatic pistol. It is dangerous around here. I need it to protect my health.
Medicare will pay for it right?
Scanner: laughs. I need your number.
Me: First, give me your email address.
Scammer: Why?
Me: So I can send you a link to the recording of this call I am posting on YouTube, it is very funny.
Scanner: I guess you are not serious. hangs up.
Bob
This also shows some unexpected sophistication in their approach.
Here is, from memory, some excepts, the full call has much more, going on for maybe 20 minutes.
Scammer: Have you had you Covid shots?
Me: You should know that, you paid for them.
Scammer: We need this to update your profile.
Me: Prove that you are from Medicare. Give me my Medicare number.
Scanner: I can't do that, but I can give you the sequence.
Me: What do you mean.
Scammer: The sequence of letters and numbers. Your number starts with a number, then a letter, then 2 numbers, right?
Me: Yes, that is correct, but I think everyone's is the same.
Scammer: No, I give you the sequence.
Me: Okay, what is my full name.
Scammer: Robert <correct last name and address>
Me: and my birthday
Scammer: <correct birth day> (this is a getting a bit scary)
Scammer: so give me your Medicare number.
Me: No, I can't do that. Medicare tells me I should not give out my number to callers.
Scammer: But I am from Medicare. It is true!
Me: And I am from the CIA, it is true! I am keeping you on the phone so we can locate you.
expect to see our agents in about an hour.
Scammer: laughs. (I guess he is beginning to get it at this point, but he still persists)
Me: What part of China are you in?
Scammer: laughs. I am in Florida.
Scammer: Give me your doctor's last name.
Me: You should know that.
Scammer: I do, but I need to verify.
Me: Okay, give me her first name.
Scammer: If you give me the last name, I will give you the first name.
Me: (making it up) Simmons.
Scammer: spell it. (I do)
Scammer: Okay her first name is Jessica. (and her address, which is the hospital two blocks from my house, I looked it up, she is real, though it was Simons instead of Simmons)
Me: Can you get me some equipment I need?
Scammer, with renewed enthusiasm: Yes! What do you need?
Me: A 9mm semi-automatic pistol. It is dangerous around here. I need it to protect my health.
Medicare will pay for it right?
Scanner: laughs. I need your number.
Me: First, give me your email address.
Scammer: Why?
Me: So I can send you a link to the recording of this call I am posting on YouTube, it is very funny.
Scanner: I guess you are not serious. hangs up.
Bob