Medicare does not call you first to enroll or to tell you that you owe money

Medicare itself does not call beneficiaries to sign up, collect payments, or verify personal information. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare and asking for your Social Security number, bank details, or payment information, it is a scam. Hang up and report the call to the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Real Medicare communication comes by mail or through your own login at Medicare.gov. The only exception is if you have called Medicare first or if you have a Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan through a private insurance company — those companies may call you for routine customer service reasons, but only if you have given them permission to do so.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare will never call you unsolicited to ask for your Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank account information.
  • Scammers impersonate Medicare to steal personal information and money; hang up when ready and call 1-800-MEDICARE to report the call.
  • Real Medicare sends important notices by mail, including bills, coverage changes, and enrollment reminders.
  • Private insurance companies (Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plans) may call you if you have authorized them to do so, but Medicare itself does not.
  • If you need to contact Medicare, you call them — they do not call you first.

What Medicare will never ask you over the phone

Medicare will not call to ask for your Social Security number, Medicare number, bank account number, credit card number, or PIN. It will not ask you to confirm these details over the phone, even if the caller says there is a problem with your account. It will not ask you to wire money, buy gift cards, or make any kind of payment by phone.

Scammers use urgency and fear to pressure you into giving information quickly. They may say your Medicare number has been suspended, that you owe a debt, that your identity has been stolen, or that you need to update your information right now. None of these are reasons Medicare would call you unsolicited.

How real Medicare contacts you

Medicare sends official notices by mail to your home address on file. These notices cover enrollment periods, coverage changes, bills, appeals decisions, and changes to your benefits. You can also log into your account at Medicare.gov using your username and password to see messages, view your coverage, and check claims.

If you call Medicare yourself at 1-800-MEDICARE, a representative may call you back if the wait is long or if you request a callback. But this only happens because you initiated contact. You can also speak to a representative by phone during business hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week) by calling the same number.

When private insurance companies may call you

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a standalone prescription drug plan (Part D), those plans are run by private insurance companies, not by Medicare directly. These companies may call you for customer service reasons — to confirm your address, remind you about preventive care, or tell you about plan changes — but only if you have given them permission to contact you by phone.

Even so, they will not ask for your Social Security number or bank details over an unsolicited call. If a caller claims to be from your insurance company and asks for sensitive information, call the customer service number on your insurance card to verify whether the call was real.

How to report a scam call

If you receive a call claiming to be from Medicare and asking for personal information, hang up without giving any details. Do not press any buttons or say yes to any questions.

Report the call to the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-MEDICARE. You can also report it online at oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud. Include the phone number the scammer called from (if you can see it), the time of the call, and what they asked for. These reports help law enforcement track scam patterns.

If you gave out information during a scam call, contact your bank and credit card companies right away to let them know. You can also place a fraud alert on your credit report by calling one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax (1-800-525-6285), Experian (1-888-397-3742), or TransUnion (1-888-909-8872).

What to do if you are unsure about a call

If you receive a call and are not sure whether it is real, do not give out any information during the call. Instead, hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE using the phone number on your Medicare card or insurance paperwork. A representative can tell you whether Medicare or your insurance company actually tried to reach you.

You can also ask a trusted family member or friend to help you verify the call. Many scams target older adults because scammers count on confusion or pressure in the moment. Taking time to check is always the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Medicare call me to tell me I owe money?

No. Medicare sends bills and payment notices by mail. If you owe a debt related to Medicare, you will receive a written notice first. If someone calls claiming you owe money to Medicare, it is a scam.

What if the caller knows my name and Medicare number?

Scammers can find this information online or from data breaches. Knowing your name and Medicare number does not make the call real. Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself to check your account.

Is it safe to give my information if I called Medicare first?

Yes, if you initiated the call to 1-800-MEDICARE or called the number on your Medicare card. A representative who answers a call you made is legitimate. But never give information to someone who called you, even if they seem to know details about your account.

What should I do if a family member gave information to a scammer?

Contact their bank and credit card companies right away to report the fraud. Place a fraud alert on their credit report by calling Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Report the scam to 1-800-MEDICARE and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Can my Medicare Advantage plan call me without permission?

No. Private insurance companies can only call you if you have authorized them to do so. If you did not give permission and receive a call, it may be a scam. Verify by calling the number on your insurance card.