(SPM Wire) Georgia seniors and their families are being warned to be wary of scam artists who may try to take advantage of confusion about the new Medicare Prescription Drug coverage benefit.

State Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine is reminding Medicare beneficiaries to make sure anyone who tries to sell them one of the new Medicare Prescription Drug Plans is a legitimate, licensed insurance agent before giving him or her any money or personal information.

Private insurance companies are selling the new Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) which have been approved by Medicare. Enrollment for the program began January 1st.

Since there are millions of people eligible for the program, Oxendine said there will be a lot of sales activity going on between now and May 15 which is the end of the open enrollment period.

"To avoid being a victim, verify before you buy," Oxendine said. As such, he is offering the following tips to consider when being solicited for drug plan policies:

Check with the Insurance Commissioner's office to make sure a sales person is a licensed agent. To do so, call (404) 656-2070 or toll-free at (800) 656-2298.

Beware of door-to-door salesmen. Agents cannot solicit business at your home without an appointment.

Do not give out personal information, such as Social Security, bank account numbers or credit card numbers to anyone you have not verified is a licensed agent. Sales representatives are not allowed to request such personal information in their marketing activities. Once you decide to purchase a plan and have verified that the agent is licensed, you may give the agent personal information to assist in enrollment and billing.

Verify that the plan is an approved Medicare plan. All of the approved plans are available at www.medicare.gov or you can call 1800-MEDICARE.

If you suspect fraud, call the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General at 1-800HHS-TIPS.