Medicare Life Insurance Calls: Scam Or Legit?

Medicare scam calls are one of the most common ways criminals try to steal sensitive health information. Scammers pretend to be from Medicare or a legitimate healthcare insurance provider and use phone spoofing technology to manipulate the caller ID to display a local phone number, Medicare, or a health or life insurance provider. They build trust by using personal information found online and then create a sense of urgency to get the target to act emotionally. They may claim that the target's Medicare card is about to expire or that they are eligible for a special plan. The target is then pressured to verify their Medicare number or other sensitive information, enroll in a fake plan, or send money. It is important to remember that Medicare will never call unless the recipient has called with a request. If you receive such a call, hang up and report it to Medicare or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Scammers pretend to be from Medicare or a related healthcare organisation

Scammers pretending to be from Medicare or a related healthcare organisation can use your information to commit medical identity theft, which can have devastating effects on your life and livelihood.

Scammers may use phone spoofing technology to manipulate your Caller ID, making it appear as though they are calling from Medicare, a health or life insurance provider, or a local phone number. They may also have some of your personal information, such as your name, address, date of birth, or even your Social Security Number (SSN), which they can use to build trust. They will then try to create a sense of urgency to get you to act emotionally, for example, by claiming that your Medicare card is about to expire or that you are eligible for a special plan.

If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately. Medicare will never call you directly unless you have called them with a request. If you get an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Medicare, it’s a scam.

• They ask you to provide or verify personal information, such as your Medicare or Social Security Number.
• They offer you free medical devices, medical supplies, prescription medications, genetic tests, or other services.
• They ask you to activate, verify, renew, replace, or upgrade your Medicare card.
• They tell you that your benefits are at risk unless you take action.
• They pressure you to switch plans or buy additional coverage.
• They tell you that you have an unpaid or overdue balance and ask for payment.

If you suspect that you have been involved in a Medicare scam, report it as soon as possible to the following:

• Medicare directly at 800-633-4227 (TTY: 877-486-2048).
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General at 800-447-8477 (TTY: 800-377-4950) or submit a report online.
• The Federal Trade Commission online.
• If you have a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan, you can also call the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor at 877-772-3379.

Remember, never share personal information with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly, even if they claim to be from Medicare.

Scammers use phone spoofing to trick you into thinking they're legitimate

Scammers often use phone spoofing to trick you into thinking they're legitimate. They may disguise their number as a government agency or a health provider that you know and trust, making you more likely to answer the call. Once you pick up, they'll try to build trust by chatting with you and asking you conversational questions. They may already have some of your personal information, which they found online, and they'll use this to make themselves seem even more legitimate. They'll then try to get you to divulge further personal information, such as your Medicare number, Social Security Number, or other health insurance identification.

Phone spoofing is just one of the tactics used by scammers to target people, especially older Americans, for Medicare-related fraud. They may also call pretending to be from Medicare or a legitimate healthcare insurance provider. They'll try to create a sense of urgency to get you to act emotionally, for example, by claiming that your Medicare card is about to expire. They may also pressure you to enrol in a fake or misrepresented plan or send them money.

Remember, Medicare will never call you directly unless you have called them with a request. If you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Medicare, it's a scam.

Scammers will try to get your Medicare number, Social Security Number, or other personal information

Scammers will go to great lengths to get their hands on your Medicare number, Social Security Number, or other personal information. They may use phone spoofing technology to manipulate your Caller ID and make it seem like they're calling from Medicare, a health or life insurance provider, or a local phone number. They may also have some of your personal information already, such as your name, address, or even your Social Security number, which they can use to build trust and make the call seem legitimate.

During the call, scammers will often try to create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting emotionally. For example, they may claim that your Medicare card is about to expire or that you're eligible for a special plan. They may also try to enroll you in a fake or misrepresented plan or convince you to send them money to pay for services.

It's important to remember that Medicare will never call you directly unless you have called them with a request. If you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Medicare and asking for your personal information, it's a scam. Hang up immediately and do not provide any personal information.

• Do not carry your Medicare card with you unless you're going to the hospital or pharmacy.
• Set up a secure online Medicare account to view your claims through the Social Security Administration.
• Be cautious of phishing scams, including emails, internet links, and phone calls, that try to trick you into revealing personal information.
• Do not routinely carry your Social Security Number with you, and never say it aloud in public.
• Monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for any suspicious or unauthorized activity.

Scammers may offer free medical devices, supplies, or services

• They may claim that you are eligible for a free knee or back brace and that they need your Medicare or Social Security number to process the benefit.
• They may send you low-quality or expired medical equipment, while charging Medicare for a more expensive version.
• They may send you items you didn't request and then charge Medicare for them.
• They may use scare tactics to convince you that your health is in danger and that you need the medical device or service.
• They may pretend to be calling on behalf of a legitimate company, such as AARP, to get your information.

Remember, Medicare will never call you uninvited and ask for your personal information. If you receive an unsolicited call or message offering free medical devices, supplies, or services, hang up immediately and do not provide any personal information. You can also report the scam to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission or the Medicare fraud hotline.

Scammers will pressure you to switch plans or buy additional coverage

Medicare scams are a common way for criminals to steal sensitive personal information. Scammers will often use phone spoofing technology to manipulate your caller ID to make it seem like they are calling from Medicare, a health or life insurance provider, or a local phone number. They will then try to convince you to switch to a new plan or buy additional coverage. Here are some things to watch out for:

Scammers will pressure you to act quickly

Scammers will often try to create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making a decision without thinking it through properly. They may claim that your current Medicare card is about to expire or that you are eligible for a special plan with lower premiums. They might also tell you that you need to put down a deposit or sign up for a monthly payment plan to receive new services. Remember, Medicare will never call you directly unless you have requested them to.

Scammers will ask for personal information

If you are being pressured to give personal information such as your Medicare number, Social Security Number, bank account details, or credit card information, it is likely a scam. Scammers will often claim that they need this information to "confirm your identity" or "verify your eligibility" for a plan. Do not give out this information over the phone unless you are sure that the caller is legitimate.

Scammers will offer cheaper or better plans

Medicare is free for most recipients, but supplementary plans may have a monthly premium. Scammers will try to take advantage of this by offering cheaper supplementary plans or drug coverage that Medicare doesn't provide. They may also offer expanded coverage or better prices on a Medicare Advantage plan. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Scammers will threaten to cancel your plan

Another common tactic used by scammers is to threaten to cancel your Medicare plan unless you provide them with personal information or verify your identity. They may claim that your Medicare eligibility is about to be cancelled or that your current Medicare card is invalid. Remember, there are only a few circumstances that would lead to the cancellation of your benefits, and Medicare already has your card number on file and doesn't need to call you to get it.

If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from Medicare, hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE to report the scam. You can also contact Medicare's fraud hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or report telemarketing calls to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Frequently asked questions