Medicare Scam Phone Calls - Beware

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.