Following reports of fake texts and bogus calls seeking money, NJ FamilyCare is alerting New Jersey residents about current Medicaid renewal scams that are targeting program members.

“Other states are reporting that members have received illegitimate messages claiming to be from their Medicaid agency,” the New Jersey Department of Human Services said today.

“Scammers may pretend to be from a legitimate organization or a government agency using phone, text or email – but their goal is to steal from you,” the warning continued.

NJ FamilyCare and its health plans may send text messages to their members but will never charge or ask for money from individuals to enroll or re-enroll and will never threaten legal action or to seize your bank account.

In addition, no one should share banking or credit card information with anyone that calls claiming to be from New Jersey Medicaid or the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

Also, DHS will never request payment in the form of gift cards, prepaid debit cards, internet currency or mailed cash, nor will they pressure anyone for personal information.

The federal government in March 2020 temporarily waived Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements to help prevent people from losing health coverage during the pandemic.

State-run Medicaid programs were required by federal law to restart eligibility reviews by April 1 under the federal FY 2023 Omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in late December.

A total of 2,315,868 residents, or 25% of the state population, are currently enrolled in NJ FamilyCare programs.