Common Medicare Scams

Scammers often target seniors for scams. Trying to confuse people by acting with authority. Or sometimes misleading them into a bait and switch situation. Here are the most common scams:

Social Security Priority Number

People are receiving messages saying it’s Social Security and to contact them. The message includes a ‘priority number’ for reference. When you call back, the first prompt asks for your zip code.

This is not Social Security and most likely a call center. Which means they are trying to mislead you into changing your Medicare coverage to something that helps them instead of you. So don’t share your information with them.

Recording Permission to continue

Random people are calling seniors and stating something like “I’m a Medicare advisor on a recorded line, can you hear me?” 

This person does not work for Medicare. They are trying to get a phone recording of you saying ‘yes’. They are misleading you this way so they can change your Medicare coverage to something that helps them instead of you. You should hang up the phone immediately.

Medicare Refund

The caller claims that due to a change in Medicare coverage, you are owed a refund.  They ask for your Medicare number and bank account information, so they can deposit the funds. 

This is not Medicare so do not share any information with them.

Calls for FREE Covid tests

Scammers are targeting Medicare recipients with bogus offers for free Covid tests. They call offering free Covid tests, covered by Medicare.  They get your Medicare information and bill fraudulent charges to Medicare.

This is NOT Medicare. Do not give them your information!

Medicare Refund

Someone calls about a Medicare refund you’re entitled to.

They state that due to a change in Medicare coverage, you’re owed a refund. They ask for your Medicare Number and bank account information so they can deposit the funds.

This is NOT Medicare calling! Do not share your info with them.

Cancelled Medicare coverage

People are receiving calls stating their Medicare coverage has been cancelled.

The caller asks for their Medicare number to “help them re-enroll in Medicare since they have no coverage”.

This is not Medicare calling, so do not share your information with them.

Genetic Testing

Watch out for this recent genetic testing scam. The call starts like this:

“Hello, is this Mrs. Cook? This is Tom from Genetic Testing Services. Your doctor reached out to us because he’s concerned with the cancer that runs in your family and would like you to take a DNA swab test. The test is covered by Medicare. We just need your Medicare number to process and ship out the order.” 

Where are you calling from?

If you get a call from someone and you don’t know who they are, just ask them “where are you calling from?”

They should be able to tell you and give you a callback number. Hang up the phone and search that phone number to see who it really is.

Many times, scammers will hang up the phone instead of answering your question.

Upgrade Medicare card

People are receiving calls stating they qualify for an “upgrade” to their Medicare card – a plastic card which includes dental and vision benefits.

There’s only 1 Medicare card, and it is not this.

This is not Medicare calling. Do NOT share your info with them.

Durable Medical Equipment calls

People are calling claiming to offer durable medical equipment covered by Medicare. This is illegal, no one is allowed to make unsolicited calls for equipment like that.

They are trying to get your Medicare number to commit fraud. Do NOT share your info with them.

Expired Medicare Card

People are calling stating they are from Medicare and that your old Medicare card will no longer be valid.  For “verification”, they ask for your old Medicare number.

This is NOT Medicare calling so do not share your Medicare number with them.

Cash Card for Seniors

Claim $2,888 cash card for seniors. Sounds like free money right?  Wrong!  Some Medicare Advantage plans do offer flex cards but they are often small dollar amounts and very limited how you can use them. 

Very few people nationwide can qualify for a plan with a large flex card like that. 

If you want to know more info about all the programs available for you, call me.

Proprietary Plans

Call centers are contacting people about Medicare. The person on the phone states “their company has proprietary rights to exclusive plans and lower costs that can’t be offered elsewhere.”

This is false. They are trying to sell you a different policy to get a sale. If you want to know more info about all the programs available, call me.

Bait and Switch marketing

There are advertisements for unique products that only exist in select areas of the country, like Florida.  Ads like “$144 back on your Social Security” and a “$2,500 flex card” are advertised to everyone, to get your information. Most people will not qualify for these programs.

If you want to know more info about these programs, call me.

Medicare Subsidy

There is an advertisement on social media for a $4,900 Medicare subsidy. They want you to complete a form, so they can get your information.

This is not Medicare requesting this information. If you have questions about a Medicare program being advertised, call me and I can help.

Postcards scheduling Medicare appointments

Postcards are being mailed to people that did not request any info.  The cards appear to be from Medicare.  They have an appointment set for a specific date and time to “complete your Medicare enrollment”

This is NOT Medicare. Do not share your info with them!

Gold Medicare card

Someone calls stating “Do you have the new gold Medicare card?”

A gold Medicare card doesn’t exist, so the answer is always no. They ask you to verify your Medicare number so they can get you the new gold Medicare card. 

This is NOT Medicare calling! Do not share your info with them.

Verify Medicare card

Someone calls stating “I want to make sure you got the new Medicare card, can you confirm your Medicare number so I can verify you have the right card?”

This is NOT Medicare calling! Do not share your info with them.

Be careful with your info

Don’t feel pressured to make an immediate decision. It’s your Medicare coverage and your info so you can take the time to investigate and make sure any changes benefit you.

If you have questions about your coverage you can always contact me for a free review. You can click the button below to schedule time with me.