Scam Watch · Prevention · Verified June 2026
The ones to know
- The "new card" scam. A call, letter, or plastic card says you need a new Medicare card and must pay a fee or "verify" your number. Real new cards are paper, free, and come with a letter. More on this one →
- The "your number is suspended" call. A caller claims your Medicare or Social Security number has been "compromised" or "suspended" and you must confirm it. Numbers aren't suspended, and Medicare won't call to confirm one.
- Free "extras" in exchange for your number. Free braces, test kits, supplements, or a "free" genetic test — just give your Medicare number. The freebie is bait; the number is the prize, used to bill fake claims.
- The fake plan "agent." An unsolicited caller pushes a plan with amazing benefits and needs your details to "enroll you today." Real enrollment has windows and never requires a same-day decision.
- The refund / overpayment trick. "Medicare owes you a refund — confirm your bank account so we can send it." Medicare doesn't issue surprise refunds by phone, and never needs your bank login.
- Impersonating 1-800-MEDICARE. Caller ID can be faked to show a real-looking number. If they called you, hang up and dial 1-800-MEDICARE yourself.
The thread that runs through all of them
Every one relies on the same two moves: they contact you first, and they create urgency so you act before you think. Slow it down and the scam loses its power. There's no scam that survives "let me hang up and call the official number myself."
Not sure if one you got is a scam? Run it through Scam Check — a calm, free read on the signs. And if you already shared something, here are the recovery steps in order.
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