Medicare Scam
Also known as: new Medicare card scam, fake Medicare benefits, Medicare equipment scam
Scammers impersonate Medicare representatives to steal personal information, commit Medicare fraud, or bill Medicare for products and services the victim never received. Common variants include fake 'new Medicare card' calls and free medical equipment offers.
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How it works
Medicare fraud costs the U.S. government and taxpayers billions every year. Scams targeting beneficiaries directly are one piece of a much larger fraud ecosystem.
New Medicare card scam: A caller claims Medicare is issuing new cards and needs to verify your information to mail yours. They ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, date of birth, and often bank information.
Reality: Medicare mails new cards automatically when needed. They never call to verify information before sending.
Free medical equipment scam: A caller offers a 'free' back brace, knee brace, genetic test, or other medical equipment, claiming Medicare will cover it. They just need your Medicare number to process the order.
Reality: The scammer uses your Medicare number to bill Medicare fraudulently for expensive equipment you never receive. This can trigger audits, mark your account, and potentially affect your future benefits.
Refund scam: A caller says you overpaid into Medicare and you're owed a refund — they just need your bank information to deposit it.
Impersonation of Medicare plans: Scammers call during Medicare open enrollment (October-December) offering 'better' plans or warning that your plan has been cancelled.
The real Medicare: Real Medicare communications are by mail. Real Medicare doesn't call to verify information, offer free products, or request immediate payment.
Warning signs
- ⚠Unsolicited call claiming to be from Medicare
- ⚠Request to verify your Medicare number, SSN, or bank information
- ⚠Offer of 'free' medical equipment with Medicare coverage
- ⚠Claims that your Medicare card is being replaced
- ⚠Pressure to act before enrollment deadline
- ⚠Request for payment to 'process' paperwork
- ⚠Home visits from people claiming to represent Medicare
- ⚠Calls asking you to switch Medicare plans
Who does this target?
Where does it happen?
What to do if you've encountered this
- 1.Stop all contact with the scammer immediately. Do not respond, do not send more money, do not try to "reason" with them.
- 2.Document everything — screenshots of conversations, phone numbers, email addresses, websites, and any transaction details.
- 3.If money was sent, contact your bank immediately. Wire and ACH reversals are measured in hours, not days.
- 4.Report the scam to the appropriate agencies:
Warning: After any scam, watch out for "recovery scammers" who promise to get your money back for an upfront fee. They are always a second scam. See our recovery scam warning guide.
Related scam patterns
Vishing (Voice Phishing)
Phishing over the phone. Scammers call pretending to be from your bank, a government agency, or a tech company, using social engineering to trick you into revealing personal information, financial details, or transferring money.
IRS Impersonation Scam
A scammer calls or texts claiming to be from the IRS, threatening arrest, deportation, or asset seizure for unpaid taxes. They demand immediate payment — usually via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency — to avoid 'legal consequences.'
Social Security Impersonation
A scammer claims to be from the Social Security Administration, warning that your Social Security number has been 'suspended' due to suspicious activity. They demand personal information or payment to 'restore' your benefits.
