How to Avoid Medicare Scams
Learn how to spot Medicare scams during open enrollment and take steps to protect your identity and coverage.
If you are 65 or older and want to enroll in Medicare through Social Security, you need to sign up during Medicare Open Enrollment. This period runs from October 15th to December 7th. This is the time when you can make changes to your healthcare and prescription drug coverage for the year ahead.
Unfortunately, this period also brings a rise in scams targeting order adults. Fraudsters take advantage of the confusion and urgency around enrollment to trick people into giving away personal information or money. Here are common Medicare scam warning signs and what to do if you spot them.
Common Medicare Open Enrollment Scams
- Spoofed Contact Information
Scammers have quick access to software that allows them to change their contact ID. Spoofing their information allows them to look like a legitimate Medicare official.
- Impersonation Scams
Medicare does not make unsolicited phone calls and won’t ask for your personal information. Scammers use spoofed caller IDs to demand your data, often claiming there is an urgent issue. If that happens, hang up and call Medicare’s official number: 1-800-MEDICARE to verify.
- Fake Medicare Plan Offers
Scammers may use their spoofed contact ID and try to act as a representative for Medicare. They will try to sell you an offer with “exclusive” benefits. To enroll, they’ll ask for your Medicare number - which can lead to fraudulent claims that you’ll be responsible for.
- Email Scams
Scammers send emails phishing for your information by posing as a Medicare representative. They will send links for you to fill out your personal information. Medicare phishing scams like these lead to identity theft and other fraudulent activity.
How To Protect Yourself and Avoid Medicare Scams
- Protect Your Medicare Number
Never give your medicare number or personal information to anyone except trusted healthcare providers. Medicare will never call you out of the blue so do not give your personal information over the phone.
- Review Your Medicare Statements
Whenever looking over your medicare statements, check for any signs of fraudulent activity. It is always better to be safe. If something does not look familiar, call Medicare immediately and ask.
- Report Suspicious Activity
If you get any suspicious calls or emails make sure to report them. Help protect yourself and others by being vigilant. Report any scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Help Others Stay Informed
Share these tips with friends and family to keep your community safe from Medicare scams.
