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.
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
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.
How to check a Medicare message safely
- 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 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
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Official details on consumer.ftc.gov
- Get free help from your Senior Medicare Patrol on 1-877-808-2468. Official details on consumer.ftc.gov
Also report it to the official fraud service in your country. See the worldwide list.
If you clicked, paid or shared details
Act quickly. It makes a difference.
- If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card, and ask them to block the card.
- If you entered a password, change it on the real Medicare website or app and turn on two-step verification.
- Expect follow-up calls or messages pretending to help. Never share one-time codes or move money to a "safe account".
- Report the scam, then delete the message.
More help: Phishing links and fake login pages and what to do after a scam.
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 (Medicare.gov)
- This Medicare Open Enrollment season, learn how to protect yourself from scams (Federal Trade Commission)
- Medicare fraud affects everyone, so here's what to know and do (Federal Trade Commission)