Police Warn Hingham Elders of Hurricane Sandy Scam

Hingham Police are warning senior citizens to be aware of a new phone scam targeting Medicare recipients.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, a caller pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) called one Rhode Island woman and said the hurricane damaged their computers.

The caller then attempted to obtain the woman's husband's Social Security number "or else his social security benefits would stop,” according to Hingham Police.”

The Executive Office of Elder Affairs has informed the Hingham Senior Center about the scam attempt this week.

“Although no similar scam attempts have been reported in the Hingham area, we want to pass this information on as an awareness measure,” Hingham Police said in an EMAS email to town residents.

Residents who suspect fraud are asked to call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit www.StopMedicareFraud.gov.

Here are some reminders from The SSA:

*     Social Security and Medicare employees will never make an unsolicited call, for any reason, to ask for banking or credit card information, or for a Social Security or Medicare number.

*     Medicare cards do not cost anything -they are free. The Social Security Administration sends out a Medicare card when an individual first becomes eligible for Medicare. A new Medicare card may also be issued by Medicare officials due to a change in Part A or B eligibility, a legal name change, or a lost card.