Medicare Scam Phone Calls: Red Flags and How to Protect Yourself

How to verify a Medicare call safely

Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE using the number on your Medicare card or the official Medicare website. Do not use a callback number supplied by the caller. Medicare representatives do not need you to read back a one-time code, pay by gift card or cryptocurrency, or accept “free” equipment you did not request.

If information was disclosed

• Call Medicare and your health plan to review claims and protect the account.
• Review Medicare Summary Notices for services, braces, tests, or supplies you did not receive.
• Contact the Senior Medicare Patrol for help documenting suspected Medicare fraud.
• If a Social Security number was exposed, place a credit freeze and follow the identity-theft reporting steps.

Report suspected Medicare fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE and consumer impersonation to the FTC. Preserve the caller ID, voicemail, date, claimed organization, and requested action. Do not confront the caller or provide additional information to “confirm” the report.