The Marshall Police Department is alerting residents about healthcare scams.

Authorities say here’s how they work:

You see an ad on TV telling you about a new law that requires you to get a new healthcare card. Maybe you get a call offering you big discounts on health insurance. Or maybe someone says they’re from the government, and the person needs your Medicare number to issue you a new card.

Scammers follow the headlines. When it’s Medicare open season, or when healthcare is in the news, they go to work with a new script. Their goal is to get your Social Security number, financial information or insurance number.

So authorities urge residents to take a minute to think before they talk: Do you really have to get a new healthcare card? Is that discounted insurance a good deal? Is that “government official” really from the government? The answer to all three is almost always: No.

Authorities say here’s what you can do:

1. Stop. Check it out. Before you share your information, call Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE); do some research, and check with someone you trust- What’s the real story?

Authorities urge you to pass this information on to a friend. You probably saw through the requests. But chances are, you know someone who could use a friendly reminder.