Within weeks of your Medicare card arriving, the scam calls start. New beneficiaries are the #1 target because the scammers know you're learning the system and unlikely to spot a fake "Medicare representative." Here are the most common Medicare scams in 2026, how to identify each, and exactly how to report them.
Memorize these. They're a near-perfect filter.
What they say: Caller claims to be from Medicare, says they need to 'verify' or 'update' your Medicare number to send your new card.
What's really happening: They use your MBI to bill Medicare for services you never received. You may also be set up for medical identity theft.
What to do: Hang up. Real Medicare doesn't call to verify. If you're unsure whether your MBI was leaked, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
What they say: Caller says you qualify for a free back brace, knee brace, or other DME. Asks for your MBI 'so they can ship it' and 'have your doctor sign off.'
What's really happening: They bill Medicare thousands of dollars for the equipment. You either receive nothing, or receive cheap equipment. Either way, Medicare gets billed and your number is in a fraud database.
What to do: Hang up. Legitimate DME requires a written prescription from a doctor you've seen, sourced from a Medicare-approved supplier you chose. Never agree to DME on a cold call.
What they say: Caller says you qualify for free cancer screening genetic testing. Asks for your MBI 'to bill Medicare.'
What's really happening: They send you a saliva swab kit, which you may or may not return. Either way, Medicare gets billed for genetic testing that wasn't medically necessary, often $5,000-$10,000 per test.
What to do: Hang up. Medically-necessary genetic testing is ordered by your doctor and processed through their preferred lab. Free random testing offers are scams.
What they say: Caller says Medicare is issuing new cards and they need to confirm your address and MBI.
What's really happening: Identity theft setup. They have your name and possibly a few details from public records, and they're using the call to harvest the rest.
What to do: Hang up. Medicare did issue new cards in 2018 (replacing SSN-based numbers with MBI). They sent them by mail, with no calls.
What they say: Local mailer or flyer offers a 'free seminar on Medicare changes' at a hotel meeting room or community center, often with food.
What's really happening: It's a sales pitch for a specific Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap policy. The 'educator' is licensed agent earning commission per enrollment. Information presented is biased toward the plan they're paid to sell.
What to do: These aren't always scams — some are legitimate marketing — but treat them as sales, not education. Never enroll in a plan at one of these. Ask for the carrier's name. Verify with SHIP (free, unbiased) before deciding anything.
What they say: Mailer designed to look like a federal Medicare communication, often using government-style typography and urgent language ('Action required by Date X').
What's really happening: Either a sales pitch in disguise, or a phishing attempt to get you to call a fake number where they'll harvest your MBI.
What to do: Real Medicare communications come from CMS or SSA, not a private company. Look for the carrier name. If unsure, call 1-800-MEDICARE directly using the number on your real Medicare card.
What they say: Caller offers free at-home COVID tests, asks for your MBI to ship them.
What's really happening: They bill Medicare $90-$200 per test kit (Medicare did cover home tests for a period). Your MBI ends up in a fraud database.
What to do: Hang up. If you need COVID tests, get them through your provider, your pharmacy, or the federal at-home test program when active.
What they say: Caller or website offers to lower your Medicare premium, claims you qualify for a special program.
What's really happening: Either pitches you a Medicare Advantage plan that pays your Part B premium back ('giveback' plans — these are real, but the way they're sold here is misleading) or harvests your MBI for fraud.
What to do: Real Part B premium reduction comes from: (a) Extra Help / Low-Income Subsidy if you qualify by income, (b) some MA plans that include a 'Part B premium reduction' benefit. Both are legitimate but neither involves an unsolicited call.
Multiple agencies handle this. Use them all if the scam is serious.
Report scam calls, billing errors, and suspected fraud. Call this whenever your MBI is exposed or someone has billed Medicare for services you didn't receive.
Free, federally-funded volunteer program that helps Medicare beneficiaries identify, prevent, and report fraud. They handle complex cases and can intervene with billing departments. Find your state's office at smpresource.org.
Office of Inspector General. For serious Medicare fraud — provider/supplier billing schemes, identity theft involving your MBI.
If your MBI was used for fraudulent billing, file an identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov. Required for some recovery actions.
Free Medicare counseling. They can help you understand if a call/mailer is legitimate, and what to do next. Find your state's at shiphelp.org.
None of these will call you out of the blue. All are free and unbiased.
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