Decision Tools Resources
About
Join The Clearing →
Tools & account
Decision Tools Resources

Scam Watch · Free · Printable

If it already happened.

First, take a breath. This happens to careful, capable people every day — the calls are built to catch anyone off guard, and it says nothing about you. What matters now is the next hour. Work down the list. You don't have to finish today, but the first steps are worth doing soon.

Full recovery guide →

Sent money, or shared a bank or card number? Start here.  Call your bank or card company now, using the number on the back of your card. Tell them what happened and ask them to stop or watch for unauthorized activity. Money moves fastest, so it comes first.

Do this first

  1. Stop all contact. Don't reply, don't call any number they gave you, don't send anything more. You don't have to answer if they call back.
  2. Report it to Medicare — 1-800-633-4227. Open 24/7. (TTY 1-877-486-2048.) Say you shared your Medicare number and ask them to note your account. On a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan? Call your plan too.
  3. Tell the Senior Medicare Patrol — 877-808-2468. Free help for exactly this. Connects you to your state's program, or find it at smpresource.org.
  4. Shared a Social Security number? Go to IdentityTheft.gov (or call 1-877-438-4338). It builds you a personal recovery plan — the right place for anything beyond Medicare.

What to save

  • The date and time it happened.
  • The phone number, email, or address that contacted you.
  • What they said, and exactly what you shared.
  • Screenshots of any texts or emails.
  • Any receipts, transfers, or gift-card numbers.

What to watch — next 30 days

  • Check your claims at Medicare.gov and your Medicare Summary Notice for anything you didn't receive.
  • Watch your bank and card statements.
  • Place a free fraud alert — contact any one credit bureau and it must notify the other two.
  • Ask 1-800-MEDICARE whether your situation qualifies for a new Medicare number.

What to say when you call

"I think I shared my Medicare number with someone I shouldn't have. I'd like to report it and have you check my account for anything I didn't do."

There is no shame in this, and hiding it only helps the scammer. Telling Medicare, the SMP, and the people who help you is how it gets handled.

the Clearing Making room in the years ahead. Members can ask Fern to build a checklist for your exact situation · joinclearing.com

The Clearing is independent and member-funded. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Medicare, CMS, or the Social Security Administration. General education, not legal, financial, or medical advice. We can't tell you whether a specific contact was a scam — when in doubt, call the official number yourself. Numbers verified June 2026.

Where would you like to go next?

Full recovery guide — I gave out my Medicare number → Common Medicare scams to watch for → ← Back to Scam Watch home
New · Read the book →