How to Spot Medicare Scams

Shelley Reitz
Apr 23
2 min read

What to Watch For and How to Protect Yourself

Medicare scams are becoming more common—and unfortunately, they often target people through phone calls, emails, and even in-person visits.

The good news is that a little awareness can go a long way in protecting yourself.

Common Medicare Scam Tactics

Scammers often try to create urgency or confusion. Here are a few of the most common tactics to watch for:

Unsolicited phone calls - If someone calls you out of the blue asking for your Medicare number or personal information, that’s a red flag. Medicare will not call you unexpectedly to request this information.

“Free benefits” offers - Be cautious of anyone offering additional benefits you didn’t ask about, especially if they request personal details in return.

Pressure to act quickly - Scammers often try to rush you into making a decision. You should never feel pressured when it comes to your healthcare coverage.

Remember - you do not owe them politeness. It is ok to be rude. You can say "no", hang up on them, or just simply tell them you need to take your time and you'll call them back if you want to.

What Medicare Will NOT Do

It’s important to know what Medicare doesn’t do:

Medicare will not call you for your number
Medicare will not show up at your door uninvited
Medicare will not pressure you to make immediate decisions

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts.

How to Protect Yourself

Here are a few simple ways to stay safe:

Do not share your Medicare number with unknown callers
Hang up on suspicious calls
Avoid clicking links in unexpected emails
Take your time before making any decisions

When in Doubt, Ask

You don’t have to figure everything out on your own.

If you receive something that feels confusing or questionable, it’s always okay to ask for a second opinion. Having a trusted, local resource can help you quickly determine what’s legitimate and what’s not.