--- title: "Medicare scam calls: how to spot them | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/medicare-scam-calls source: TapSafely description: "Is that Medicare message real? The warning signs, Medicare's real websites, how to check safely and where to report a fake." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Scam guides](https://tapsafely.com/scams/)/[Brand scams](https://tapsafely.com/scams/brands)/ Medicare # Medicare scam calls: how to spot them Scammers copy Medicare because millions of people use it. Here's how to tell a fake Medicare message from a real one, and what to do if you already clicked. By the TapSafely editorial team · Updated 16 September 2026 ## In short Medicare says it will never call you to sell you anything or come to your home, and it only phones in limited cases, such as returning a call you made. The FTC adds that real Medicare will not call, text or email out of the blue to ask for your Medicare number or a payment, and Medicare cards are free. **Most common fake:** You need a new or updated Medicare card, just confirm your Medicare number. **Safest check:** Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself. Example · fake Medicare message · Illustrative, links disabled Medicare Alert: Your Medicare card is expiring. To keep your benefits, confirm your Medicare number and pay the $9.95 card fee today at medicare-card-renew[.]net/update An example fake Medicare message with the warning signs highlighted. ## What Medicare says Medicare says it will never call you to sell you anything or come to your home, and it only phones in limited cases, such as returning a call you made. The FTC adds that real Medicare will not call, text or email out of the blue to ask for your Medicare number or a payment, and Medicare cards are free. Source: [Medicare.gov](https://www.medicare.gov/basics/reporting-medicare-fraud-and-abuse) ## Common fake Medicare messages - You need a new or updated Medicare card, just confirm your Medicare number - Pay a small fee to keep your Medicare coverage active - Free back brace, genetic test or medical supplies if you share your Medicare number - Pushy call during Open Enrollment to switch you to a new plan - Caller who already knows some of your details and asks for bank or card information ## Medicare's real web addresses Genuine Medicare links and emails use these domains. Look at the part just before the first single slash: **medicare.gov** is real, but **medicare-support-center.com** or **medicare.gov.account-check.top** are not. - **medicare.gov** - **cms.gov** Scammers can also hide a fake link behind real-looking text. [Learn how to read a web address](https://tapsafely.com/scams/phishing-links). ## How to check a Medicare message safely 1. Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself 2. Never give your Medicare number to someone who contacts you unexpectedly 3. Compare plans at Medicare.gov or with your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) 4. Check your Medicare statements for services or equipment you never received ## How to report a fake Medicare message - Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or report Medicare fraud online through the HHS Office of Inspector General. [Official details on medicare.gov](https://www.medicare.gov/basics/reporting-medicare-fraud-and-abuse) - Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. [Official details on consumer.ftc.gov](https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/09/medicare-open-enrollment-season-learn-how-protect-yourself-scams) - Get free help from your Senior Medicare Patrol on 1-877-808-2468. [Official details on consumer.ftc.gov](https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/05/medicare-fraud-affects-everyone-so-heres-what-know-and-do) Also report it to the official fraud service in your country. [See the worldwide list](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed#where-to-report). ## If you clicked, paid or shared details ### Act quickly. It makes a difference. 1. If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card, and ask them to block the card. 2. If you entered a password, change it on the real Medicare website or app and turn on two-step verification. 3. Expect follow-up calls or messages pretending to help. Never share one-time codes or move money to a "safe account". 4. Report the scam, then delete the message. More help: [Phishing links and fake login pages](https://tapsafely.com/scams/phishing-links) and [what to do after a scam](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed). ## Questions people ask Does Medicare send messages asking for payment or personal details? Medicare says it will never call you to sell you anything or come to your home, and it only phones in limited cases, such as returning a call you made. The FTC adds that real Medicare will not call, text or email out of the blue to ask for your Medicare number or a payment, and Medicare cards are free. How can I check if a Medicare message is real? Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself. Never give your Medicare number to someone who contacts you unexpectedly. Compare plans at Medicare.gov or with your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Check your Medicare statements for services or equipment you never received. How do I report a fake Medicare message? Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or report Medicare fraud online through the HHS Office of Inspector General. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Get free help from your Senior Medicare Patrol on 1-877-808-2468. I clicked a link in a fake Medicare message. What should I do? Don't enter anything else. If you typed card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card. If you entered a password, change it on the real website and turn on two-step verification. Then report the message and delete it. ## Official sources and further reading We check our pages against official advice from the organisations themselves and from government agencies. - [Reporting Medicare fraud & abuse](https://www.medicare.gov/basics/reporting-medicare-fraud-and-abuse) (Medicare.gov) - [This Medicare Open Enrollment season, learn how to protect yourself from scams](https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/09/medicare-open-enrollment-season-learn-how-protect-yourself-scams) (Federal Trade Commission) - [Medicare fraud affects everyone, so here's what to know and do](https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/05/medicare-fraud-affects-everyone-so-heres-what-know-and-do) (Federal Trade Commission) ### Got a message like this? Paste the message or link Check it free ### Still unsure? Describe what happened and our AI assistant will help, in any language. Ask TapSafely ### Seen this scam? Your report helps warn people in your area. [Report it](https://tapsafely.com/report) ### Free check tools - [Link checker](https://tapsafely.com/link-checker) - [QR code checker](https://tapsafely.com/qr-code-checker) - [Screenshot checker](https://tapsafely.com/screenshot-scam-checker) - [Scam glossary](https://tapsafely.com/scam-glossary) ## Related [Guide ### Phishing links and fake login pages Learn the one skill that stops most scams: reading who really owns a link. 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