TRICARE Issues Scam Alert
TRICARE has issued a warning, alerting beneficiaries that scammers are targeting military families by impersonating TRICARE representatives. These scams are part of a rising trend where hackers and scammers try to steal money and personal data from TRICARE-enrolled military members and families.
You will never be contacted by phone or text to make payments, and TRICARE does not call people to request personal data. If you receive such a call or communication, do not respond.
How TRICARE Scams Often Work
The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS, tracks service members, retirees, and family members. TRICARE links to this central database to verify who qualifies for medical coverage, and military families must keep DEERS information current at all times because doctors cannot confirm patient eligibility without an active record in the DEERS database.
Criminals exploit confusion about DEERS and TRICARE enrollment when they pose as military healthcare officials or TRICARE staff. These scams often come through phone calls, letters, text messages, and deceptive emails, and a recent TRICARE warning includes key advice on keeping your information current.
Old Addresses and Phone Numbers
Why is TRICARE warning about your old data? The outdated personal information issue. By that, we mean: Did you remember to update your addresses, forward your mail, and ensure mailed sensitive information goes to the right address? With frequent permanent change-of-station moves and related issues, it’s not always safe to assume your change-of-address form is redirecting ALL your mail.
Remember that unscrupulous people may intercept mail sent to your old addresses. Is your data fully updated with the postal service, DEERS, and TRICARE? Outdated addresses and other personal information increase the risk of misdirected mail, including medical histories and benefit verifications.
Update your records immediately after changes to your family status, phone number, or home address to better protect yourself.
>> Don’t miss benefits news and updates that matter to you. Sign up today to receive the MyMilitaryBenefits newsletter free to your inbox.
How to Avoid TRICARE Scams
Legitimate TRICARE or DoD personnel do not call beneficiaries to collect past-due balances. They do not call offering special rates, reduced premiums, or policy discounts. If you get an unsolicited message from someone claiming to be a TRICARE rep, do not respond.
Visit the official TRICARE site through the main address, then use it to verify any information you were given. Below is additional TRICARE advice on avoiding scams.
- Representatives will never make unsolicited calls or send text messages demanding payment.
- TRICARE personnel will never call or text people requesting birth dates, Social Security numbers, or Department of Defense identification numbers.
- Beneficiaries must treat personal identification records like private financial payment numbers.
- If an unknown caller seeks confidential information, hang up. If an unexpected message contains hyperlinks, leave them untouched.
- People who receive suspicious contacts should independently locate verified customer service phone numbers or official web portals. Call the verified regional contractor line to verify whether program officials attempted outreach. Never call the phone numbers provided inside suspicious messages or click on the links sent to you unsolicited.
- Federal officials established two ways to report healthcare scams. Notify your TRICARE regional contractor if you have been scammed or have received a scam attempt. You can also report incidents to a TRICARE For Life contractor, pharmacy benefit administrators, or dental plan contractor depending on what’s most appropriate. Reports can also go to the Defense Health Agency Office of the Inspector General.
- When filing complaints, include as much specific detail as possible. Include calendar dates of contact, telephone numbers displayed on caller identification records, inbound email addresses, names used by callers, and specific claims made during calls.
- Federal investigations remain confidential. People filing reports can submit documentation anonymously.
>> Never miss benefits news and updates that are important to you. Sign up today to receive the MyMilitaryBenefits newsletter free to your inbox.
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
