According to a February 17, 2004 article in The New York Times, scam artists are already taking advantage of Medicare's new discount drug program. Although no Medicare-approved cards are being offered at this time, salesmen have been approaching people with offers to sell drug discount cards allegedly approved by Medicare.

The Medicare web site states that companies will be able to begin marketing approved discount cards in April (see medicare.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/medicare.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1510&gsearch=Y). All approved cards will have a "Medicare-approved" seal. The web site advises individuals not to give any personal information to someone trying to sell a discount card. The site also advises that individuals can report Medicare fraud by calling the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).