Medicare Scam Calls: Verify Before Sharing Your Number

Recognize pressure about coverage

Be cautious about threats to cancel benefits, demands for a replacement-card fee or offers of gifts in exchange for personal details. Caller ID does not prove that Medicare, a plan or a medical provider is calling.

Sources: Medicare.gov: Reporting Medicare fraud and abuse; FTC: Government impersonation scams

Check without abandoning a legitimate question

Medicare describes limited circumstances in which a representative may call for information, including responding to your request. That does not make every incoming call genuine.

1. End an unexpected conversation before supplying your Medicare or Social Security number.
2. Open Medicare.gov yourself to find the official contact and fraud-reporting options.
3. Contact a plan or provider through records you already have if the request concerns them.

Sources: Medicare.gov: Reporting Medicare fraud and abuse

Review claims if information was shared

Compare services on Medicare statements with care you received. Report unfamiliar claims through the official Medicare process. This guide does not determine coverage or replace plan-specific advice.

Sources: Medicare.gov: Reporting Medicare fraud and abuse