Avoiding Medicare Scams/Fraud

It's important to know the signs of a Medicare scam so you can protect yourself. To get your personal information, like your Medicare number, scammers may call, text and email saying things like:

• "You need to activate or renew your Medicare card."
• “Get your new plastic black and white Medicare card.”
• "We'd like to send you a free genetic testing kit."
• "Medicare has authorized us to send you a free (knee, back, or elbow) brace."
• "You qualify for a refund on your Medicare costs."

Remember, never give your Medicare card or number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.

Keep in mind: Caller IDs and email addresses can be faked, so if you're not sure who's calling, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). And remember, Medicare will never contact you unless you've contacted them first.

If you feel you’ve been a victim of a Medicare scam or fraud, you can also call the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-877-272-8720 and they will investigate the scam and advise you about any steps to take to protect yourself.