Residents of several North Carolina counties are being alerted to the sophisticated text message scam. This scam is targeting Medicaid recipients. This message claims to be from local health authorities and advises people that their benefits have been cancelled.
It then goes on to ask the residents to click on the link shared in the message to reapply. The scammers are out to gain access to the personal information of the people on Medicaid for identity theft and monetary loss.
Counties Affected So Far
The scam has been reported in multiple counties, including:
- Cumberland County
- Union County
- Yancey County
- Currituck County
Officials in Cumberland County have reported that the phony messages were disguised as from the Department of Public Health. They also contain the department’s main phone number, 910-433-3600. In these messages, recipients are instructed to show up at the Department of Public Health. People are also threatened with arrest if they fail to reach the office.
The agency has made it clear that it will never utilize robocalls to distribute test results or medical diagnoses. The agency has also claimed that it will never send text messages with medical information.
Scam Alert on Medicare Scammer calls! Extreme amount of harassment calls – 96 calls over 8 days and “only” 3 calls for the 9th day and 4 calls for the 10th day. May 9, 2025 : 352-366-5262, 352-301-3485, 850-203-5088, 352-301-3641. STOP targeting unsuspecting seniors! pic.twitter.com/PQWPyADy7k
— Julie Ann Brady (@jaguarjulie) May 10, 2025
Similar frauds have also been reported by Union County’s Human Services Agency. In these, people pose as public health professionals to gather personal information. According to reports, these con artists call locals and say they require personal information to update medical records or provide more Medicare or Medicaid benefits.
This could be result of social security benefits being cut and people relying on extra services like medicaid and medicare. If people would realize that they are at risk of losing Medicaid too, they might click on any link.
The Sheriff’s Office in Yancey County has also issued a warning to its citizens. The Sheriff’s office has warned people of an increase in calls involving Medicare and Medicaid scams. Local numbers, such as the number of the Yancey County Health Department, are being used by the scammers. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious behavior. People are also being told to protect their personal information.
What do you have to say @UHC? I want the public to see your response before this is escalated in a formal manner. You cannot process a claim properly that has not even been processed by a Medicare plan that does not exist. This seems fraudulent @INDeptInsurance pic.twitter.com/qYvsmWSENn
— Mrs. Dwyer (@dwyer_mrs) May 13, 2025
In Currituck County, the Staff workers of the county school are the target of text messaging. The phony mails pose as the superintendent and ask for help. It then results in requests for money or personal information. Workers are encouraged to report any suspicious activity and refrain from replying to such messages.
Usually, these frauds include unwanted phone calls or texts that:
- Pose as a representative of the local health department or official.
- Notify the recipient of the termination of their Medicaid coverage.
- Give a link to “reapply” for benefits, which takes users to a phony website that is intended to steal their personal data.
- If the addressee does not comply, threaten to arrest them. In order to seem trustworthy, the communications frequently utilize formal language and even include phone numbers or email addresses that seem authentic.
To safeguard yourself against these frauds:
- Links in unsolicited emails or texts purporting to be from health departments should never be clicked.
- Use the official contact details to get in touch with your local health agency and confirm the source.
- Never give out personal information to strangers over the phone or on unprotected websites, including Social Security numbers, Medicaid numbers, or financial information.
- You can report suspicious communications to your local sheriff’s office or the Attorney General’s Office in North Carolina at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
- Keep yourself updated on scams and fraud alerts by frequently visiting the websites of the official health department and local news sources.
If you think you may have been the victim of this scam:
- People can call the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (910) 323-1500.
- Residents of Union County should contact the local police department.
- The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office can be contacted by Yancey County residents.
- Employees of Currituck County are required to notify the Currituck County Schools Central Office.
- You can avoid becoming a victim of these scams by exercising caution and vigilance when responding to unsolicited emails.
