Health and Medicare Tips for Seniors
Medicare Scam Calls: How to Spot Fraud and Stay Safe
It's not rude to hang up on a stranger who is asking about your Medicare. It is the safest thing you can do, and it takes five seconds.
Scammers are busiest in the fall, when many people are looking at their Medicare plans. Medicare's yearly open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, so more calls, texts and mailers show up. This guide shows you exactly what to look for and what to do.
The 6 Red Flags of a Medicare Scam
If a caller or message does any one of these things, stop.
Red flag | What it sounds like |
1. They contacted you first | "Hello, this is Medicare calling about your benefits." Medicare does not call people to sell them anything. |
2. They ask for your Medicare number | "I just need to verify your Medicare number." Don't share it with anyone who contacts you, unless you called them first and gave permission. |
3. They say you need a "new card" | "You're getting a new plastic card." "Medicare is switching to a card with a chip." "It's a new year, so you need a new card." Real Medicare cards are free and come in the mail. |
4. They threaten you | "Your coverage will be canceled unless you act today." Medicare will never call out of the blue to say you'll lose coverage. |
5. They offer something "free" | Free back or knee braces, free tests, free supplies, gift cards or prepaid cards in exchange for your Medicare number. The "free" item is how they get your number. |
6. They ask you to pay | You never need to pay for a new Medicare card. Be very wary of anyone who wants payment by gift card, wire transfer or a payment app. |
Real Medicare vs. a Scammer
Real Medicare | A scammer |
Sends your card by mail, for free | Says you must pay or "verify" to get a new card |
Does not call to sell you anything | Calls out of the blue about "benefits you qualify for" |
Lets you call them at 1-800-MEDICARE | Pushes you to decide right now and stay on the line |
Will talk to you if you called first, or if you left a message | Asks for your number, bank info or payment on a call you didn't start |
One more thing to know: you can't trust caller ID. Scammers can make a call look like it's coming from Medicare or a government office. Don't trust a number just because it looks official.
Do Medicare Plans and Agents Call People Too?
Federal marketing rules for Medicare Advantage plans generally do not allow plans or their agents to cold-call, send unsolicited texts or robocalls, leave unsolicited voicemails, or knock on your door to sell you a plan. A call is allowed if you asked for it or gave permission to be contacted.
So if you filled out a form or called a number and asked for a call back, that call is expected. A call you never asked for is not.
What to Say When an Unexpected Caller Asks About Your Medicare
"I don't give out any information on incoming calls. I'll call Medicare myself." Then hang up. You don't have to explain, argue or be polite for long. Then call 1-800-MEDICARE. |
Common Medicare Scams to Know
The "new Medicare card" call. A caller says you need a new, plastic or chip card and asks you to confirm your number. Some people did receive new cards in the mail this spring, with a letter explaining it. If a card is real, it will arrive by mail, free of charge, and Medicare will not call you about it. If you're unsure whether something in your mailbox is real, call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask.
The "free" equipment or test offer. Free back braces, knee braces, genetic tests or supplies offered by phone, text or at a community table. If a stranger asks for your Medicare number in exchange for something free, it's a scam. Never give your Medicare number to anyone who offers a gift for it.
Equipment you never ordered. The Pennsylvania Attorney General has warned about scammers who send seniors medical equipment they never ordered, like oxygen equipment or wheelchairs, and then bill Medicare or the patient. If something shows up that you didn't order, report it.
Fake websites and paid search ads. The Federal Trade Commission warned in September 2026 that scammers pay for ads at the top of search results and build fake sites that copy Medicare.gov. Type Medicare.gov straight into your browser, skip results marked "Ad" or "Sponsored," and look for .gov at the end of the web address.
Texts and emails about "free" services. Unsolicited texts or emails offering free medical services or supplies are a red flag. Medicare's advice is simple: "Ignore, delete, and block."
What to Do If You Already Shared Your Information
It happens to smart, careful people. Don't be embarrassed. Act quickly.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and tell them what happened.
Check your Medicare statements and your online Medicare account for services or supplies you didn't get. If a charge looks wrong, call your doctor or plan.
Report it to your local Senior Medicare Patrol: Pennsylvania SMP 1-800-356-3606 or the national line 1-877-808-2468.
Go to IdentityTheft.gov for a personal recovery plan if your identity may have been stolen.
Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Who to Call in Pennsylvania
For this | Contact |
Is this call, card or mail real? Report Medicare fraud | 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) |
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Pennsylvania | PA MEDI (formerly APPRISE): 1-800-783-7067, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm |
Report suspected Medicare fraud and get help | Senior Medicare Patrol: PA 1-800-356-3606 or national 1-877-808-2468 |
Fraud involving a Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan | 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379) |
Health care scams and unordered equipment (Pennsylvania) | PA Attorney General Health Care Section: 1-877-888-4877 |
Check an insurance agent's license | PA Insurance Department consumer line: 1-877-881-6388 |
Report any scam online |
How to Check That an Insurance Agent Is Real
A real agent will never mind being checked. In Pennsylvania you can look up any licensed insurance agent for free through the Pennsylvania Insurance Department's "Find and Research a Licensed Insurance Company, Producer or Agent" tool on pa.gov. You can also call the department at 1-877-881-6388.
A trustworthy agent will also:
Never pressure you to decide on the spot
Never ask for your bank details or payment over an unsolicited call
Give you their full name, license information and a number you can call back
Be happy for you to take time and talk it over with family first
You can also get free, unbiased counseling from PA MEDI at 1-800-783-7067 any time.
Quick Answers
Will Medicare ever call me?
Only in limited cases, such as returning a call you made to them or answering a message you left. Medicare will never call you to sell you anything.
Is my Medicare number the same as my Social Security number?
No. Your Medicare number is its own number, made of 11 letters and numbers, and it does not contain your Social Security number. It is still valuable to a scammer, so protect it like a credit card.
Do I have to pay for a new Medicare card?
No. You never need to pay for a new card. Replacement cards are free through your Medicare.gov account or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Can I change my Medicare plan over the phone?
Only if you made the call and you are sure who you're talking to. The Pennsylvania Attorney General advises: don't accept phone offers or change your Medicare plan over the phone from an unexpected caller, even if they claim to be from the government. Call Medicare directly to check your enrollment.
What if the caller already knows my name and my doctor?
Scammers often have real information from data leaks. Knowing your details doesn't mean the call is real. Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Should I report a scam if I didn't lose any money?
Yes. Reports help protect your neighbors. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Keep This Page Handy
3 things to remember 1. Medicare won't call you to sell you anything. 2. Never share your Medicare number with someone who contacts you first. 3. Hang up, then call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). |
Need Help You Can Trust?
I'm Lauren Metzler, an independent Medicare agent in McKees Rocks. I'm not tied to one insurance company, and my guidance is always complimentary. If you're unsure about a call, a letter or a plan, reach out. You decide when and how we talk.
Book a free consultation: metzlerhealthsolutions.com
Call: 412-770-6477 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Metzler Health Solutions is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This article is for education only and is not a substitute for official guidance. We do not offer every plan available in your area. For all your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (PA MEDI, 1-800-783-7067).
Sources: Medicare.gov (Report Medicare fraud and abuse; Your Medicare card; Open Enrollment dates); Senior Medicare Patrol (smpresource.org, Medicare card scams); FTC consumer alerts (Spot health insurance scams, Sept 30, 2025, Sept 28, 2026, and May 28, 2026); CMS Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, June 2, 2026; 42 CFR 422.2264 (Medicare Advantage marketing communications); Pennsylvania Attorney General (Sept 24, 2025); Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PA MEDI and PA SMP); Pennsylvania Insurance Department.
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