Medicare Scams Are at an All-Time High — Here's What to Watch For

If you are on Medicare — or about to be — scammers consider you a high-value target. That is not an exaggeration. Medicare fraud costs the federal government an estimated $60 billion every year, and a growing chunk of that starts with scammers contacting beneficiaries directly to steal their personal information.

The scams have gotten remarkably convincing. They use official-sounding language, reference real Medicare programs, and sometimes even know details about you that make them seem legitimate. Here is what you need to know to protect yourself.

The Most Common Medicare Scams Right Now

Open Enrollment Scams

Every fall during Medicare's open enrollment period (October 15 through December 7), scam activity spikes dramatically. Callers pose as Medicare representatives or insurance agents, claiming they need to "update your plan" or "verify your enrollment" before a deadline.

What they actually want is your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information. Sometimes they try to enroll you in a plan you did not choose — earning themselves a commission while sticking you with coverage that does not meet your needs.

How it works: You get a call from someone claiming to be from Medicare or a Medicare-approved insurance company. They say your current plan is changing, your benefits are at risk, or they can save you money. They pressure you to make a decision immediately because "the enrollment deadline is almost here."

The truth: Medicare will almost never call you out of the blue. And no legitimate representative will ever pressure you to make an immediate decision over the phone. You always have the right to take your time, hang up, and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to verify anything.

Fake Medicare Card Scams

This scam has exploded in the past two years. Callers claim that Medicare is issuing new cards — maybe with a chip, maybe with a new number, maybe because of a "system upgrade." They tell you that your old card will stop working and you need to verify your information to receive the new one.

How it works: The caller asks you to confirm your Medicare number, your Social Security number, your date of birth, and sometimes your bank account "for any refunds owed to you." With that information, they can bill Medicare for services you never received, open accounts in your name, or sell your information to other criminals.

The truth: Medicare does not call to issue new cards. If Medicare ever does issue replacement cards, they mail them automatically — they do not need you to confirm your identity over the phone first.

"Free" Medical Equipment and Testing Scams

You get a call or see an ad offering free genetic testing, free back braces, free diabetic supplies, or free COVID tests — all "covered by Medicare." All you have to do is provide your Medicare number.

How it works: The scammer collects your Medicare number and uses it to bill Medicare for expensive equipment or tests that you either never receive or never needed. This is called "phantom billing." In some cases, they do send you a cheap brace or testing kit, but bill Medicare thousands of dollars for it.

The truth: Legitimate medical equipment and tests are ordered by your doctor, not by someone who calls you or approaches you at a health fair. If you did not ask your doctor for it, and your doctor did not prescribe it, do not give anyone your Medicare number to get it.

Medicare Advantage Plan Switching Scams

Scammers call pretending to represent a Medicare Advantage plan and convince you to switch plans. They use high-pressure tactics and make false promises about lower costs or better coverage. Once they have your information, they either enroll you in an unsuitable plan (earning a commission) or simply steal your information.

How it works: The caller might say your current plan is "being discontinued" or that you are "eligible for upgraded benefits at no extra cost." They may already know your name, address, and current plan — information they bought from a data broker — which makes them sound legitimate.

The truth: Your plan cannot switch you or change your benefits without your written consent. No legitimate insurance agent will cold-call you with pressure to switch plans immediately. If you are interested in changing plans, go to Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Red Flags That Signal a Medicare Scam

Regardless of the specific scam, there are universal warning signs:

• Unsolicited contact. You did not reach out to them — they contacted you first, by phone, email, text, or even door-to-door.
• Urgency and pressure. "You must act today," "This offer expires in 24 hours," or "Your coverage will lapse if you do not confirm now."
• Request for your Medicare number. No legitimate caller needs you to read them your Medicare number. If they are really from Medicare, they already have it.
• Request for payment. Medicare does not charge enrollment fees. If someone asks for a credit card number or bank account to "process your enrollment" or "hold your spot," it is a scam.
• They already know some of your information. This does not mean they are legitimate. Personal information is bought and sold on data broker websites. A scammer knowing your name, address, and date of birth does not prove they are from Medicare.
• Caller ID shows "Medicare" or a government number. Scammers can fake caller ID (this is called "spoofing"). The name and number on your screen mean nothing.

What to Do If You Already Shared Your Information

If you gave your Medicare number, Social Security number, or financial information to someone you now believe was a scammer, do not panic — but do act quickly.

Step 1: Call Medicare immediately. Dial 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and tell them you may have shared your information with a scammer. They can flag your account for suspicious billing and help you monitor for fraudulent claims.

Step 2: Check your Medicare Summary Notices. Log into Medicare.gov or review the Medicare Summary Notices you receive in the mail. Look for charges for services, equipment, or appointments you did not have. If you see anything unfamiliar, report it immediately.

Step 3: Place a fraud alert on your credit. Call any one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and ask for a fraud alert. They are required to notify the other two. This makes it harder for scammers to open new accounts in your name.

Step 4: Report the scam. File a report with the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. These reports help law enforcement track and shut down scam operations.

Step 5: Remove your personal information from data brokers. Remember that scammers often buy your personal information — name, address, phone number, date of birth — from data broker websites. The less of your information is available publicly, the less likely you are to be targeted again. Services like DeleteMe automatically find and remove your data from hundreds of these sites.

How to Protect Yourself Going Forward

Prevention is always easier than recovery. Here are the habits that will keep you safe:

• Never give your Medicare number to anyone who contacts you first. If they called you, emailed you, or knocked on your door, do not share it. Period.
• Verify everything independently. If someone claims to be from Medicare or your insurance company, hang up and call the official number yourself.
• Guard your Medicare card like a credit card. Do not carry it unless you need it for a medical appointment. Do not post photos of it or leave it visible.
• Review your Medicare Summary Notices every time they arrive. Treat them like a bank statement — check every line item.
• Register on Medicare.gov so you can check claims online anytime, rather than waiting for paper statements.
• Talk to your doctor first. If anyone offers you "free" medical equipment, testing, or supplies, check with your own doctor before giving out any information.

Key Takeaways

• Medicare scams spike during open enrollment but happen year-round. The most common types involve fake card replacements, "free" equipment, and high-pressure plan switching.
• Medicare will almost never call you first. If someone contacts you claiming to be from Medicare and asks for personal information, it is very likely a scam.
• Never share your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information with an unsolicited caller — no matter how official they sound.
• If you have already shared information with a suspected scammer, call 1-800-MEDICARE immediately, place a fraud alert on your credit, and report the scam.
• Remove your personal data from data broker sites to reduce the chances of being targeted in the first place.

Scammers are counting on you to be trusting, polite, and reluctant to hang up the phone. The best defense is knowing their playbook — and now you do.

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