Screen unknown callers for Mom and Dad
Look Twice | Thursday, October 15, 2026
Good morning. Medicare open enrollment starts today. CMS, the agency that runs Medicare, says it lasts through December 7. Scam calls are already out.
Today's 2-minute fix: turn on Screen Unknown Callers
This iPhone setting screens calls from numbers your parent hasn't saved. Apple says the caller is asked why they're calling before the phone even rings.
Do this today, on your parent's iPhone:
Save the numbers that matter in Contacts first. Family, friends, the doctor's office. Apple says this way you always see these calls.
Go to Settings > Apps > Phone. Scroll to Screen Unknown Callers.
Pick Ask Reason for Calling. The caller is asked why they're calling before the phone rings. Or pick Silence. Those calls go straight to voicemail. Never turns it off.
House rule: never read your Medicare number to someone who called you.
Going around now
The fake "new plastic Medicare card" call.
AARP's Amy Nofziger told the Detroit Free Press about a trick. Scammers may claim cards are being swapped for hard plastic ones, like credit cards. They say they need your Medicare number to send one. It's not true. Some callers say the new card has a chip. Others say you now need a black and white card.
In one call reported to the BBB, the caller asked about "a new updated Medicare card in the mail". Then they asked the person to read the card details aloud.
Medicare already has your number. It will not call and ask for it. And Medicare's own website says it will never call you to sell you anything.
Already gave the number? Your parent should call 1-800-633-4227 to report it. That number is for calling out. Don't trust an incoming call just because the screen says Medicare.
Quick alerts
If someone shares an explicit image of your child. That includes AI fakes. The FTC says report it to local police. Report it to NCMEC's CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. You can also tell the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Ask the platform to take it down. Not taken down in 48 hours? Report the platform at TakeItDown.ftc.gov.
Four states sue TP-Link, the router maker. Florida, Iowa, Montana and Nebraska say it misled buyers about security (Florida's attorney general has the details). SecurityWeek reports the flaws named in the suits hit TP-Link devices that internet providers hand out. TP-Link says to check your device's settings page or app for updates. None there? Contact your internet provider.
Forward this to Mom and Dad
Mom, Dad, if anyone calls about a new plastic Medicare card, hang up. Medicare already has your number. Can I set up call screening on your iPhones this weekend? It takes 2 minutes.
One question
Did you turn on call screening for your mom or dad? Reply "done".
Just hit reply. We read every one.
How was today's issue?
From the Look Twice editors. Every fact links to its source. Got a scam we should cover? Just reply.
