The short answer: if someone calls out of the blue saying they’re from Medicare and asks for your Medicare Number, bank details or to “confirm” information, hang up. Medicare won’t call uninvited asking for personal information (Medicare.gov) and will never call to sell you anything (Medicare.gov). If you’re worried, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048 (Medicare.gov).
How these calls usually go
The caller may say you’re owed a new card, a refund, free medical equipment or a better plan. Then comes the ask: “Just confirm your Medicare Number.” The FTC warns that a scammer may ask you to “confirm” your Medicare Number and then use it to commit hospice fraud (FTC). Fraud, errors and abuse cost Medicare an estimated $60 billion a year (FTC).
Warning signs
- The call is unexpected and the caller asks for your Medicare Number, Social Security number or bank information (Medicare.gov).
- They try to sell you a plan or sign you up over the phone. Don’t join a plan by phone unless you made the call (Medicare.gov).
- Caller ID shows “Medicare” or a government number. That can be spoofed (FCC).
- They pressure you to act today or offer something “free” in exchange for your number.
- Legitimate organizations usually send a letter before calling (FCC).
What to do during the call
- Don’t confirm anything. Not your number, your name or a “yes.” See why scammers want you to say “yes”.
- Hang up. You don’t need to be polite to a scam call.
- Call Medicare yourself at 1-800-633-4227, using a number you looked up, not one the caller gave you (Medicare.gov).
Open Enrollment: watch for look-alike websites too
Scams rise during Open Enrollment, which runs October 15 to December 7 (FTC, Medicare.gov). The FTC warns that some paid search ads lead to look-alike sites. Type Medicare.gov in yourself rather than clicking an ad, or call 800-633-4227, look for “Ad” or “Sponsored” labels in search results, and check that the address ends in .gov (FTC). For free, unbiased help comparing plans, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) (Medicare.gov).
Protect your Medicare benefits
- Treat your Medicare card like a credit card. Share the number only with your doctors, plans and people you trust who work with Medicare (Medicare.gov).
- Check your claims. Create a Medicare.gov account and look for services you didn’t get (Medicare.gov).
- Lost your card? Print a replacement from your Medicare.gov account (Medicare.gov).
- Turn on call filtering on your phone. See iPhone or Android steps.
Where to report
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (Medicare.gov).
- Medicare Advantage or drug plan fraud: I-MEDIC at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379) (Medicare.gov).
- Senior Medicare Patrol for free help: 1-877-808-2468 (FTC).
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov; if your identity was misused, IdentityTheft.gov (FTC).
Questions people ask about Medicare scam calls
Does Medicare ever call people?
Only in limited situations, such as returning your call, after you’ve joined a plan, or after you reported fraud. Medicare will never call to sell you anything or visit your home (Medicare.gov), and never calls uninvited asking for personal or private information (Medicare.gov).
The caller ID said “Medicare.” Isn’t that proof?
No. Caller ID can be faked to show a trusted name or number (FCC, FCC). Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself (Medicare.gov).
Is my Medicare Number my Social Security number?
No. Your Medicare Number is unique and isn’t your Social Security number (Medicare.gov). Give it only to your doctors, your insurers or plans, or people you trust who work with Medicare, such as your SHIP (Medicare.gov).
I gave my Medicare Number to a caller. What now?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE, then check your claims in your Medicare.gov account for services you never got (Medicare.gov). Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and if someone used your information to get medical care, report it at IdentityTheft.gov (FTC).
When are these calls most common?
The FTC warns that health insurance scams rise during Open Enrollment (FTC). Medicare’s Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7 (Medicare.gov).
Keep learning
- The One Call You Must Never Answer
- Social Security Paper Checks Are Ending
- Online Safety & Scam Protection
