Highlights for March 17 Your Safe Money Show

So many people are dropping their landline and just having a cell phone. We’ll discuss why keeping that landline might be a good idea. 
Technology has become a part of most of our lives these days, but we’ll look at how it can impact retired couples specifically and how to deal with the down side it can create.
 And baby boomers are divorcing at a high rate, they call this “gray divorce” why is this happening and what do you need to know if this happens to you? 

Tax refund scam

New Medicare cards

Medicare will be sending out new cards starting in April, they’re doing this to help limit identity theft.
 Medicare card numbers are based on a persons Social Security number, so new cards will have new numbers to make them safer. 
Now, there are some basic facts every Medicare beneficiary should know about their new cards. These IDs: Are free. So, there is no cost to beneficiaries. Minnesota cards should start coming out in June. They will be mailed automatically. So, beneficiaries don’t need to do anything to ensure they are issued a new card. They will be mailed to the beneficiary addresses on file with the Social Security Administration. So, beneficiaries who need to update that address should log into their SSA.gov accounts. They have no bearing on beneficiaries’ coverage or benefits. So, coverage and benefits will not change in connection with the new IDs. 
When you get your new card destroy your old one.
If you have questions call 320 679-5183 or go to yoursafemoneyshow.com.

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Highlights for Saturday March 10 Your Safe Money Show

Coming up on this Saturday's (March 10) Your Safe Money Show. 
Hearing loss, especially as we age, can be a real problem. I want to talk about hearing aids, what’s available and the fact that Medicare will not cover the cost. Also, we’ll look at ways to prevent hearing loss in the first place.
Knowing what moves to make to protect your money and wealth can make a huge difference going forward. I’ll share those moves with you.
And in retirement what is your biggest expenditure, housing or health care costs? And how can we manage those costs? 
Tune in at 95.5 FM KBEK at 7:30 a.m. They stream live at kbek.com.Hear recent shows at the podcast page at yoursafemoneyshow.com.

Tax refund scam

We need to talk about an urgent warning the IRS has issued about a new tax refund scam. Here's how it works. Thieves steal client data from tax professionals. Then, using that data, they file fraudulent tax returns and use the taxpayers' real bank accounts to deposit erroneous tax refunds. Finally, the thieves, posing as IRS or other law enforcement, call attention to the error and ask taxpayers to return the money to them. To get the funds from real taxpayers, thieves use various tactics. In one version, criminals posing as debt collection agency officials acting on behalf of the IRS reach out to taxpayers to say a refund was deposited in error and ask the taxpayers to forward the money to their collection agency. The other you’ll get an automated call threatening the taxpayer with fraud charges, they’ll give a case number and instructions to call to return the refund. If this happens to you call your tax preparer and go to the IRS.gov website tax topic 161 and follow the instructions. 

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