Common Medicare Scams and How to Spot Them

What scammers claim and how they contact you

Medicare scammers typically call, text, or email claiming they need to update your information, verify your Medicare number, or issue you a new card. They may say your benefits are about to expire, that you've been overpaying, or that they're calling from "Medicare" or the Social Security Administration. Some pose as pharmacies, doctors' offices, or health plans you already use.

The contact usually comes out of the blue. Real Medicare never initiates contact to ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details over the phone or email. If someone contacts you claiming to represent Medicare and asks for personal information, that is a scam.

Scammers are persistent and may call multiple times, use different phone numbers that look official, or send official-looking emails with Medicare logos. They count on the fact that Medicare is confusing and that seniors often worry about losing coverage or owing money.

Key Takeaways

• Medicare never calls, texts, or emails to ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account information.
• Scammers often claim your benefits are expiring, you're owed money, or you need a new card, then ask you to pay a fee or give personal information.
• Legitimate Medicare contact comes from Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your official Medicare card in the mail.
• If you give a scammer your information, contact Medicare and your bank immediately to report the fraud.
• Hanging up and calling Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE is always the safest response to an unexpected call.

The most common scams targeting Medicare beneficiaries

The "new card" scam is one of the oldest. A caller says Medicare is issuing new cards and needs to verify your information to send yours. They ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or date of birth. Real Medicare sends new cards by mail without asking you to verify anything first.

The overpayment scam claims you've been overpaying Medicare and are owed a refund. The caller asks for your bank account number to deposit the money, or asks you to pay a small fee to process the refund. Medicare does not contact beneficiaries about overpayments this way, and legitimate refunds are processed without asking for bank details.

The prescription or pharmacy scam comes from someone claiming to be your pharmacy or doctor's office. They say they need to update your insurance information or confirm your prescription coverage. They ask for your Medicare number or personal details. Your actual pharmacy and doctor's office already have this information on file.

The health plan enrollment scam involves a caller offering a "free" Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap policy and asking for your Medicare number to enroll you. They may claim the plan has special benefits or lower costs. Legitimate plans do not enroll you over the phone without your written consent, and they do not ask for your Medicare number before you have decided to join.

The Social Security number scam claims your Social Security number has been suspended or compromised and needs to be verified immediately. The caller creates urgency to pressure you into giving the number. Social Security does not suspend numbers over the phone, and they do not call beneficiaries asking them to verify their number.

What happens if you give a scammer your information

If you provided your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account information to someone you now believe was a scammer, contact Medicare immediately at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Tell them what information you shared and when. Medicare can flag your account and watch for fraudulent activity.

Next, contact your bank or credit card company and tell them what happened. Ask them to watch your account for unauthorized charges and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report. You can place a free fraud alert by calling one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax (1-800-525-6285), Experian (1-888-397-3742), or TransUnion (1-888-909-8872). You only need to call one; they will notify the others.

If money was taken from your account, ask your bank about filing a dispute. If you believe your identity has been stolen, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. Keep a record of all your calls and the dates you made them.

How to verify you are really talking to Medicare

If someone contacts you claiming to represent Medicare, do not give them any information. Instead, hang up and call Medicare yourself at 1-800-MEDICARE. This is the official Medicare phone number, and it is the only number you should use to reach Medicare by phone.

You can also visit Medicare.gov directly by typing the address into your browser yourself (do not click a link in an email or text). Legitimate Medicare communications come from Medicare.gov, official mail with the Medicare logo, or the phone number 1-800-MEDICARE. No other source is official.

If you receive an email claiming to be from Medicare, do not click any links or download any attachments. Real Medicare does not conduct business by email. If you want to check whether an email is real, call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask them.

Red flags that signal a scam

Pressure to act immediately is a major red flag. Scammers create urgency by saying your benefits are expiring today, your card is being deactivated, or you will lose coverage if you do not respond right now. Medicare does not operate this way. Real Medicare gives you time to handle your business.

Requests for payment are another clear warning sign. Medicare does not charge a fee to update your information, send you a new card, or verify your coverage. If someone asks you to pay money to process a Medicare benefit or update, it is a scam.

Unsolicited offers of free services or money should make you cautious. Scammers offer "free" health plans, free medical equipment, or refunds you did not know you were owed. Legitimate Medicare programs do not work this way.

Requests for your full Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank account information over the phone or email are always suspicious. Medicare may ask for part of your Social Security number to verify your identity if you call them, but they will never ask for the full number unsolicited, and they will never ask for your bank account information.

What to do if you suspect a scam

Report the scam to Medicare by calling 1-800-MEDICARE and selecting the option to report fraud. You can also report it online at Medicare.gov/fraud. Provide as much detail as you can: the phone number that called you, the date and time, what they said, and what information (if any) you provided.

Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338. The FTC tracks scam patterns and uses the information to warn the public and pursue scammers.

If the scammer used email or text, report it to your email provider or cell phone carrier. Most have a way to report spam and phishing attempts. If the scam involved a fake website, report the website to the FTC as well.

Tell your family members, friends, and neighbors about the scam. Scammers often target multiple people in the same area or social group. Spreading the word helps protect others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Medicare call me to update my information?

No. Medicare does not call beneficiaries to ask for personal information, Medicare numbers, or Social Security numbers. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare and asks for this information, it is a scam. Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself if you have questions about your account.

What should I do if I already gave my Medicare number to a caller?

Call 1-800-MEDICARE right away and report what happened. They can flag your account for fraud monitoring. Also contact your bank if you provided banking information. Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report by calling one of the three major credit bureaus.

Is it safe to give my Medicare number to my doctor's office or pharmacy?

Yes. Your doctor's office and pharmacy need your Medicare number to bill your insurance. The difference is that you initiated the contact with them, and they already have your information on file. If someone calls you claiming to be your doctor or pharmacy and asks for your Medicare number, that is likely a scam.

What if I see a Medicare ad online or on TV offering free services?

Be cautious. Some ads are legitimate, but many are from companies trying to sell you plans or services. Do not click links in ads or provide information to anyone who contacts you based on an ad. If you are interested in a plan or service, go to Medicare.gov directly or call 1-800-MEDICARE to learn about your real options.

Can I get my money back if I paid a scammer?

It depends on how you paid. If you used a credit card or debit card, contact your bank immediately and ask about filing a dispute. If you sent cash or a wire transfer, the money is usually gone. Report it to the FTC and Medicare anyway, as this information helps them track scam patterns and warn others.