Scam library · Phone calls · Seniors · Government impostor
Medicare card and benefits scam call
A caller says they're from Medicare: you need a new plastic card, you're owed a refund, your benefits will lapse, or you qualify for free equipment. All they need is your Medicare number to 'verify' you.
Medicare says it won't call you unexpectedly to ask for your Medicare number or other personal information, or to sell you anything.
What the message looks like
From: "Medicare Benefits Department"
"Hi, I'm calling from Medicare. New plastic Medicare cards with a chip are being issued, and yours will be canceled if we can't verify your information today."
"Can you read me the Medicare number on your current card?"
How this scam works
With your Medicare number, scammers bill Medicare for tests, braces and services you never received. That can leave you with a messy record, and in some cases denied claims when you need the real thing later.
Calls spike during Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, when scammers pose as 'Medicare advisors' pushing plan changes. The FTC and FCC both warn about these calls.
Some callers already have part of your information, like your name, address or doctor, from data breaches or marketing lists. They use it to sound official, then ask you to 'confirm' the rest. A real Medicare representative you called yourself may verify your identity, but an unexpected caller asking you to read your number aloud is the warning sign. If a family member handles your benefits, share this with them too: scammers sometimes call adult children and caregivers as well.
Red flags
- An unexpected call 'from Medicare'.
- A request to read out your Medicare or Social Security number.
- A 'new card', 'refund' or 'free' offer that needs your number first.
- Pressure to switch plans quickly during Open Enrollment.
- Threats that benefits will be canceled.
How to tell it’s fake
- Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself.
- Check your Medicare Summary Notices or your account at medicare.gov for services you didn't receive.
- For plan changes, use medicare.gov's plan finder or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info
Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.
If you clicked a link or called back
- If you only talked to them, hang up and report the call to 1-800-MEDICARE.
If you paid
- If you paid for anything, call your bank or card issuer and report it as fraud.
If you shared personal info, a password or a code
- If you gave your Medicare number, call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it, and watch your statements for unfamiliar charges. Medicare can issue a new number if it's being misused.
Where to report and get help (U.S.)
If a message seems legit and you’re still not sure, get a second opinion before you act. Reporting helps stop scammers, even if money can’t be recovered. If you are in danger, call 911.
- Your bank or card issuer
Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and to watch the account. - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report the scam and get a step-by-step recovery plan. - FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · ic3.gov
Report scams that happened online, especially if money was lost. Include phone numbers, websites and payment details. - AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline · aarp.org helpline
Free, for anyone of any age: trained volunteers help you sort out next steps. 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. - IdentityTheft.gov · IdentityTheft.gov
If you shared your Social Security number or someone opened accounts in your name.
How Gmork Scam Guard would warn you
Scam Guard can't hear phone calls. It helps with what comes next on your computer: emails and web pages pretending to be Medicare or a plan, asking for your Medicare number or a payment. In Chrome or Edge, it checks the address and the pressure tactics and explains the safe way to check through medicare.gov.
Scam Guard can miss things, so the checks above still matter. See what it warns about and what it keeps private.
Questions people ask
- Will Medicare call me?
- Medicare says it won't call unexpectedly to ask for personal information or sell you something. If unsure, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE.
- Is there a new Medicare card with a chip?
- No. Claims about chip or plastic replacement cards are a common scam line.
- What do I do if I read my number to them?
- Report it to 1-800-MEDICARE, check your statements, and ask whether you need a new Medicare number.