Dexter, Missouri - Urgent News Release!  The Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) would like seniors to be aware of a telephone scam affecting Iowans as reported to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by the Iowa Senior Medicare Patrol.  These scams tend to spread to other neighboring states once in motion.

The caller poses as being "from" Medicare!

They explain there are changes to the Medicare Summary Notice and Medicare cards and they want to visit the person's home to give them information and materials.  They try to obtain personal information to commit financial fraud.

Please be aware!  Medicare officials do not call beneficiaries to discuss changes to the program nor do they visit their homes.

We encourage people who suspect identity theft to contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-438-4338, a toll FREE number.