Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Medicare Scam Phone Calls - Beware

Medicare scam calls often involve fraudsters pretending to be government officials, threatening to cancel benefits, or offering fake "new" cards to steal personal information or money. Hang up immediately if a caller asks for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details. Medicare will never make unsolicited calls to sell services or verify personal information

Identify a Scam Call

  • Threats of Coverage Loss: Scammers claim your account has "suspicious activity" or that your benefits will be canceled if you don't act immediately.
  • "New" Card/Service Offers: Callers claim they are sending new Medicare cards or offering free COVID tests, cancer screenings, or braces to get your information.
  • Unsolicited Contact: Medicare does not call you unless you called them first or signed up for a callback, say official.
  • Urgency: They create false urgency, refusing to give you time to check their claims

Protect Yourself

  • Never Give Personal Info: Do not give your Medicare card, Social Security number, or banking information over the phone.
  • Hang Up and Call Back: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) directly to verify the claim.
  • Ignore Unknown Callers: Let calls from unknown numbers go to voicemail.
  • Check Statements: Regularly check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) for fraudulent charges.
  • Register for the Do Not Call List: Visit donotcall.gov to reduce unwanted solicitations.

Report Scams

  • Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
  • Report to the FTC online at reporItfraud.ftc.gov.
  • Contact the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).

Scammer Tactics

  • Claiming that your Medicare card is "not working".
  • Offering to lower your premiums.
  • Asking to "verify" your identity.
waiting