Watch out for Medicare scams as new cards arrive

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — You may be getting a new Medicare card any day now.

They're designed to protect your identity better, but watch out for scammers who see this as a new way to cash in.

[8 things to know about your new Medicare ID card]

According to Medicare, the agency is mailing the cards to the Carolinas now.

The cards have your name, a number that's unique to you and a few lines about your coverage.  Your new ID number won't use the letters “B,” “I,” “L,” “O,” “S” or “Z.”  If it does, it's fake.

Scammers may call you, pretend to be with Medicare and try to get your personal information. Medicare will never call you uninvited.

"Never ever give a Social Security number on the telephone to anybody that calls, and never, ever send money to anybody that calls on the phone," said N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey.

Cox Media Group