Stay safe from Medicare scams

Four red flags to watch for.

Medicare fraud has huge costs for older adults. In 2024, scammers were charged with major fraud totaling billions. Scammers contact Medicare recipients to steal Medicare or Social Security numbers and file false claims. Protect yourself by watching for:

• “Too good to be true” promises:  Free medical supplies or medications, tests not ordered by your doctor, or “pre-approvals” for new plans with better benefits may be scams.
• Unexpected asks for personal information:  Medicare won’t call you unless you request it. Don’t share your Medicare number with anyone calling unexpectedly.
• Suspicious links:  Scammers send fake emails or texts with links to steal your data. Don’t click unexpected messages.
• Threats to terminate benefits:  Your coverage can’t be taken away for not joining specific plans, for example.

Source: National Council on Aging