How to Know If a Medicare Call Is Real

Medicare does not call you first — legitimate Medicare contacts come only when you have started the process

If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare and you did not request contact, the call is almost certainly a scam. Real Medicare staff do not cold-call people at home to sell plans, verify information, or collect money. If Medicare needs to reach you about your account, they mail a letter first. You can always call Medicare yourself at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to verify whether a call was genuine.

Scammers use Medicare's name because seniors recognize it and trust it. They may claim you have unpaid bills, that your coverage will end, that you need to update your Social Security number, or that a new benefit is waiting for you. None of these are reasons Medicare will call you unsolicited. Knowing the difference protects you from giving out personal information or paying money to someone who has no right to it.

Key Takeaways

Medicare does not call you to sell plans, verify personal information, or collect payment unless you initiated contact first.
Scammers often claim your coverage is ending, you owe money, or a new benefit is available — these are common fraud tactics.
If you receive an unsolicited call, hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE to report it.
Real Medicare mail comes from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and includes your name, a specific topic, and a phone number you can verify independently.
Never give your Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank details to someone who called you, even if they sound official.

What legitimate Medicare contact looks like

Medicare reaches you by mail, not by phone, when the agency needs something from you or has information you need. The letter will come from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that runs Medicare. It will have your name on it, a specific reason for the contact, and a phone number you can call to verify the sender. You can check that number against the official Medicare website or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

If you have called Medicare yourself or started a process like switching plans during Open Enrollment, then Medicare staff may call you back. In that case, they will have details about your specific situation and can answer questions about what you started. They will not ask you to confirm your full Social Security number or Medicare number over the phone — they already have that information in their system.

Medicare also contacts you through your doctor's office, your insurance company, or your state health department if there is a problem with your coverage or claims. These contacts come through official channels you already know, not from a random number.

Common scam calls and what they claim

Scammers pretending to be from Medicare use several false stories to pressure you into acting quickly. They may say your Medicare coverage is ending and you must act today, that you owe a bill or have unpaid premiums, that your Social Security number has been compromised, or that a new benefit or refund is waiting for you. They may also claim to be from a Medicare plan and say you need to update your information to keep your coverage.

The pressure and urgency are red flags. Real Medicare does not threaten to cancel your coverage over the phone or demand when ready payment. If there is a genuine problem with your account, Medicare sends a letter and gives you time to respond. Scammers create panic because panic makes people act without thinking.

Some scammers are more sophisticated and may know a small piece of real information about you — your name, your age, or that you have Medicare. This makes the call feel more real. Do not let a small detail convince you. Hang up, look up Medicare's official number yourself, and call to ask whether the contact was real.

What to do if you receive a suspicious call

Hang up when ready. Do not stay on the line, do not give any information, and do not press any buttons the caller asks you to press. If the caller claims to be from Medicare, do not use a phone number they give you. Instead, call 1-800-MEDICARE directly to report the call and ask whether it was genuine.

Write down what the caller said, what number showed on your caller ID, and what time the call came in. This information helps Medicare and law enforcement track down scammers. You can report the call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338. You can also report it to your state's Attorney General office.

If you gave out information during the call, contact your bank and your credit card company right away. Ask them to watch your accounts for unauthorized charges. You may also want to place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) so that scammers cannot open new accounts in your name.

How to protect yourself from Medicare scams

Never give your Social Security number, Medicare number, bank account number, or credit card number to someone who called you, no matter how official they sound. Medicare already has your Social Security number and Medicare number. If they need to verify something, they will ask you to call them back at a number you can confirm independently.

Be suspicious of any caller who creates urgency or pressure. Real Medicare does not threaten to cancel your coverage when ready or demand payment over the phone. If someone says your coverage is ending or you owe money, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE to check your account yourself.

Do not click links or read files from text messages or emails claiming to be from Medicare. Scammers use these to install malware on your phone or computer. If you receive a suspicious email or text, forward it to Medicare at spam@ssa.gov (for Social Security-related fraud) or report it through the official Medicare website.

If you are unsure whether a call is real, it is always safe to hang up and call back using a number you find yourself. This is the single best protection against scams.

What to do if you think you have been scammed

If you gave money to someone claiming to be from Medicare, contact your bank or credit card company when ready and report the fraud. Ask them to reverse the charge if possible. If you sent money by wire transfer or gift card, contact the company right away — they may be able to stop the transfer or recover your money.

Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC collects reports from victims and uses them to investigate fraud rings. You can also call 1-877-438-4338 to report by phone. Report the scam to your state's Attorney General office as well, since they investigate fraud in your state.

If the scammer has your Social Security number or other personal information, place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus. You can do this by calling one bureau and asking them to place the alert — they will notify the other two. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You can also place a credit freeze, which locks your credit file so that no one can open accounts without your permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Medicare call me about my benefits or coverage?

Medicare can call you back if you called them first or if you started a process like switching plans. They will not call you unsolicited to sell a plan, verify your information, or collect payment. If you are unsure whether a call is real, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself to check.

What should I do if someone calls saying I have a Medicare refund?

Hang up. This is a common scam. Medicare does not call to tell you about refunds. If you are owed money, Medicare will mail you a check or credit your account. You will not have to give personal information or pay a fee to receive it.

Is it safe to give my Medicare number over the phone?

Only if you called Medicare first or if you are certain the caller is legitimate. Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details to someone who called you. If they claim to need it, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE to verify the request.

What if the caller has correct information about me?

Scammers sometimes know your name, age, or that you have Medicare. This does not mean the call is real. Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE directly. Real Medicare staff will not be offended if you verify their identity this way.

Where do I report a Medicare scam?

Report to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-438-4338, to your state's Attorney General office, and to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE. Write down the caller's number, what they said, and the time of the call so you have details to share.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.