Medicare Scam Red Flags and How to Protect Yourself

Medicare can be confusing, and scammers take advantage of that. Many people with Medicare receive phone calls, text messages, emails, or even home visits from people pretending to be from Medicare, Social Security, insurance plans, or “free benefit review” services.

This guide explains common Medicare scam red flags, what real Medicare contacts usually look like, and simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your Medicare coverage.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency, not Medicare, and not an application or enrollment portal. This article is for information only so you can better recognize scams and work with official Medicare channels directly.

Understanding Legitimate Medicare Contacts

Before spotting scams, it helps to know what real Medicare-related contact usually looks like.

How Medicare and Social Security Typically Contact You

In many situations, official agencies:

• Use mail for most notices, decisions, and plan information
• May call you only if:
  • You called them first and are expecting a return call, or
  • You already have an ongoing case or appointment with them
• Rarely ask for full Social Security numbers or banking details over the phone

You can usually verify official contact by:

• Looking for official logos (for example, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or Social Security Administration) on mailed letters
• Checking the official phone number on your Medicare card or on an official government website, then calling back using that number—not the one that called you
• Logging in to the official Medicare online portal (if you use it) to confirm if any changes or messages match what you’re being told

If something feels rushed, threatening, or confusing, it is reasonable to slow down and verify before sharing any information.

Common Types of Medicare Scams

Scammers reuse similar tricks with different names. Below are some of the most common types of Medicare scams people report.

1. “New Medicare Card” or “Update Your Card” Scams

You might be told:

• You need a new plastic or chipped Medicare card
• Your card is expiring or being deactivated
• Your card was “flagged” for misuse, and they need to “verify” your information

Red flags:

• Caller says they are from Medicare and asks for:
  • Your full Medicare number
  • Your Social Security number
  • Bank account or credit card information
• They claim you must pay a fee for a new or upgraded card
• They pressure you to act immediately to avoid “losing coverage”

Reality check:

• Medicare cards are free. There is no upgrade fee.
• You usually do not need to “renew” your original red, white, and blue Medicare card on a yearly basis.
• Official Medicare staff already have your Medicare number; they do not need you to read it over the phone in most situations.

2. “Free” Medical Equipment and Supplies Scams

Common pitches:

• Offers of “free back brace, knee brace, or diabetic supplies”
• Someone saying they work with Medicare and can get you free durable medical equipment with “no cost to you”
• Ads or callers offering genetic tests, cancer screens, or heart tests paid fully by Medicare

Red flags:

• You didn’t ask your doctor about this equipment or test
• They ask for your Medicare number before anything else
• They promise “100% free” equipment or tests, even if:
  • You’ve never been examined
  • You do not have a prescription from a licensed provider
• The company refuses to send written information or becomes pushy if you say you want to check with your doctor first

Reality check:

• Medicare typically pays for medically necessary equipment or tests, and usually after a legitimate doctor visit or prescription.
• If something is truly needed, your own doctor or clinic can usually order it through normal channels.
• Unneeded equipment billed to Medicare could cause problems for you later.

3. Fake “Medicare Advantage” or “Part D” Plan Enrollments

During Open Enrollment or at other allowed times, you may be allowed to change Medicare Advantage or Part D plans. Scammers know this and may:

• Pose as “plan specialists,” “benefit review agents,” or “Medicare improvement” staff
• Say you’ve been automatically enrolled in a new plan and need to confirm your details
• Offer cash, gift cards, or groceries if you switch plans with them

Red flags:

• They tell you they’re “from Medicare” but spend the call selling you a private plan
• They ask for:
  • Your Medicare number
  • Your Social Security number
  • Your bank account or card information for “automatic premium payments”
• They refuse to give a plan name you can independently look up
• They sign you up for a plan without your clear, recorded consent or written confirmation

Reality check:

• Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are run by private insurance companies, not directly by Medicare.
• Legitimate agents should identify the specific company and plan name and provide materials before you decide.
• You do not have to give out bank information just to hear about a plan’s details.

4. Imposter Calls Claiming “Problems with Your Benefits”

These scams often sound urgent:

• “Your Medicare will be canceled unless you confirm your information.”
• “We detected fraudulent activity on your Medicare account; verify your number now.”
• “There is a problem with your Social Security or Medicare benefits and you must pay a fee to fix it.”

Red flags:

• Threats to cancel benefits immediately if you don’t comply
• Requests for:
  • Payment through gift cards, wire transfer, or crypto
  • Personal information like full Social Security number, full Medicare number, or bank details
• Callers who do not allow you to hang up and call back using an official number

Reality check:

• Official agencies do not demand payment with gift cards, wire transfers, or similar methods.
• Most benefit issues are handled through mailed letters or secure messages, not only phone calls.
• You are allowed to end the call and contact the agency yourself using the official number from your card or official website.

5. Identity Theft and Phishing Emails or Texts

Some scams arrive as:

• Emails that look like Medicare or Social Security messages
• Text messages claiming “Important Medicare alert: click this link”
• Fake login pages mimicking the official Medicare website

Red flags:

• The email or text contains:
  • Spelling errors or strange grammar
  • A link that does not clearly match an official government website
• You are asked to:
  • Enter your Medicare or Social Security number
  • Enter online portal passwords
  • Download an attachment to “fix” a problem

Reality check:

• You usually can view any important messages by logging into the official Medicare or Social Security websites directly, not through random links.
• Government agencies typically do not ask you to confirm sensitive information through links sent by unsolicited email or text.

Quick Red Flag Checklist: Is This a Medicare Scam?

Use this table as a quick reference whenever someone contacts you about Medicare:

If one or more red flags appear, treat the contact as suspicious until you verify it using an official phone number or website.

How to Verify You’re Using an Official Medicare Channel

When in doubt, step back and confirm you’re dealing with real Medicare or a legitimate plan.

1. Use Known, Official Contact Information

Instead of trusting incoming calls or links:

• Use the phone number on your Medicare card to reach Medicare customer service
• For Social Security issues, use the main Social Security Administration phone line listed in official materials
• For Medicare Advantage or Part D plans:
  • Use the customer service phone number printed on your plan card or official plan documents
• You may also contact your state health insurance assistance program (SHIP) for free, unbiased information about Medicare options; you can usually find the correct office through your state’s official aging or insurance department website.

2. Look Closely at Websites and Emails

To reduce risk:

• Type official website addresses directly into your browser instead of clicking links in:
  • Emails
  • Text messages
  • Social media posts
• Make sure:
  • Website addresses match what’s printed in official Medicare or Social Security materials
  • You see signs the site is secure (such as “https” and a lock symbol, though those alone do not guarantee legitimacy)

If a message looks unusual, you can:

• Ignore the link
• Visit the official portal independently to check for messages or alerts

3. Confirm with Trusted Local Resources

If you’re unsure, additional options include:

• Calling your local Area Agency on Aging for guidance
• Speaking with:
  • A trusted family member
  • A caregiver
  • A licensed insurance agent you already know, if you use one
• Asking your primary care clinic if someone claims to be working with them but you’re not sure

These sources cannot fix Medicare scams, but they can help you decide whether something sounds legitimate.

What to Do If You Might Have Given Information to a Scammer

If you think you shared your Medicare number, Social Security number, or banking information with someone suspicious, acting quickly can help limit damage.

1. Contact Medicare or Your Plan

Explain that you may have:

• Given your Medicare number to someone you now believe was a scammer
• Been enrolled in a plan you did not clearly authorize
• Allowed fraudulent charges for equipment or services you did not receive or need

Ask what steps they recommend, which may include:

• Reviewing recent claims
• Disputing or reporting suspected fraudulent charges
• Checking if your coverage or plan enrollment was changed without your consent

2. Watch Your Medicare Statements

Review your:

• Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) if you have Original Medicare
• Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) from your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan

Look for:

• Services you do not recognize
• Medical equipment you never received
• Providers or locations you have never visited

If you find suspicious items, contact:

• Medicare or your plan’s customer service department
• Any fraud or abuse hotlines listed on your statements or plan cards

3. Protect Your Identity and Finances

If you shared more than just your Medicare number:

• For bank or credit card information:
  • Contact your bank or card issuer immediately
  • Ask about blocking the card, monitoring your account, or addressing unauthorized charges
• For Social Security numbers:
  • Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with major credit bureaus
  • Watch for:
    • Unfamiliar credit accounts
    • Unexpected bills or collections notices

Local consumer protection offices, your state attorney general’s office, or national fraud hotlines can also guide you on next steps in suspected identity theft cases.

How to Report a Suspected Medicare Scam

Reporting helps protect not only you, but also other Medicare beneficiaries. When possible, write down:

• The phone number that called you (even if you think it was spoofed)
• The date and time of the call or message
• The name or company they claimed to represent
• What they asked for (Medicare number, payment, personal data, etc.)
• Any screenshots, emails, or letters you received

Then, consider reporting to:

• Medicare (through the official phone number on your Medicare card)
• Your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, if the scam involved a specific plan
• Your state insurance department or state health insurance assistance program (SHIP)
• A federal or national fraud hotline that handles Medicare or consumer scams

Each office may have its own process. Typically, you can:

• Call an official phone line
• Submit an online form on the agency’s official website
• Provide any evidence you have to help investigations

Practical Tips to Avoid Medicare Scams Day-to-Day

You don’t have to memorize every scam. A few simple habits can give you strong protection.

1. Guard Your Medicare Card Like a Credit Card

Treat your Medicare number as sensitive:

• Do not carry your card everywhere unless you expect to need it
• Do not share your number with:
  • Unsolicited callers
  • People who show up unannounced at your door
  • Strangers online or on social media
• Share it only with:
  • Known medical providers
  • Official Medicare or plan contacts you called directly
  • Trusted representatives you have formally authorized

2. Slow Down When Someone Pressures You

Scammers rely on panic and urgency. Help protect yourself by:

• Saying: “I don’t give out information over the phone. I’ll call Medicare directly.”
• Taking time to:
  • Hang up
  • Find the official number
  • Call back yourself
• Ignoring:
  • Threats to end your coverage immediately
  • Limited-time offers requiring instant decisions

Real Medicare and legitimate plans allow you time to think, compare, and ask questions.

3. Keep Personal Information Organized

Having your information stored safely can reduce mistakes when you do deal with official channels:

• Keep a secure folder or file for:
  • Your Medicare card and any plan cards
  • Recent Medicare Summary Notices or EOBs
  • Official letters from Medicare, Social Security, or your plans
• Before making a call, have:
  • Your card in front of you
  • A pen and paper to note:
    • Who you spoke with
    • The date and time
    • Any reference or case numbers

This helps you recognize differences when someone calls you with unexpected information.

If You Need Help with Medicare Questions (Without Getting Scammed)

If you’re genuinely trying to understand your Medicare coverage or options, you do not need to rely on random callers.

Common safe resources (that you can reach through official numbers or websites) include:

• Medicare’s main help line (number listed on your Medicare card)
• Social Security Administration, for questions about:
  • Enrollment in Medicare Part A or Part B
  • Premiums that are deducted from Social Security checks
• Your state health insurance assistance program (SHIP), which typically:
  • Offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling
  • Can help you compare plans and understand potential scams
• Your local Area Agency on Aging, which may connect you to:
  • Benefits counselors
  • Community education sessions on Medicare fraud and abuse

To find the right office in your area, you can:

• Check contact information printed on existing official mail you’ve received about Medicare
• Call a general community resource line such as 211, which often directs callers to local aging and benefits services
• Ask your doctor’s office or clinic if they know the official state or local resource for Medicare questions

Remember: HowToGetAssistance.org provides general information only. It does not process Medicare applications, enrollments, appeals, or fraud reports. To take action on your specific situation, you will need to use the official Medicare, Social Security, or state agency channels described above.

By using official contacts, guarding your personal information, and pausing whenever something feels rushed or “too good to be true,” you can significantly reduce your risk of falling for Medicare scams and keep your coverage and identity safer.