Alert Medicare & health
Got a call from 'Medicare'? What to do in the first 5 minutes
Medicare won't call to sell you anything or ask for your Medicare number out of the blue. A minute-by-minute plan for handling a suspicious 'Medicare' call.
By New2h Help Editorial Team Reviewed by New2h Help Editorial Team
Published
A call from “Medicare” can be confusing, especially in the fall, when Medicare plans can be changed and your mailbox fills with health insurance offers. The good news: you do not need to figure out on the spot whether the caller is real. You only need a simple plan for the first five minutes.
The key rule comes from Medicare itself: Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at your home. And according to the FTC, Medicare representatives will only ask for your information if you contacted them first.
Caller: Hello, this is Karen calling from the Medicare benefits office. You qualify for a new plastic Medicare card and a free knee brace this year.
Caller: To send them out today, I just need you to confirm your Medicare number and the bank account where your benefits are deposited. This offer ends at five o’clock.
Minute 1: Do not confirm anything
Scammers often open by asking you to “confirm” or “verify” your Medicare number — as if they already have it. Do not read it out, and do not confirm a number they read to you. The same goes for your Social Security number and bank information.
Minute 2: Hang up
You do not have to be polite to a caller who wants your personal information. Hang up. Do not press a number to “speak to an agent” or “be removed from the list,” and do not call back the number that appeared on your screen.
Minute 3: Write it down
While it is fresh, jot down the time, the number that called, the name the caller used, and what they offered. These details make your report more useful.
Minute 4: Check with Medicare yourself
If you are still unsure, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), the number Medicare lists on Medicare.gov. Then you know exactly who you are talking to.
Minute 5: If you already shared your number
Do not be embarrassed; these callers are skilled. Call 1-800-MEDICARE, explain what happened, and report it. Over the next few months, read your Medicare statements carefully and look for equipment, tests or visits you did not receive. If something looks wrong, ask your provider or plan to explain it. If you think someone is using your medical identity, report it at IdentityTheft.gov.
Where to get free help
Your local Senior Medicare Patrol helps people spot and report Medicare fraud and billing errors; the FTC lists its number as 1-877-808-2468. You can also report fraud online to the HHS Office of Inspector General. To learn more about related scams, see our guide to Social Security scams.
Red flags: how to spot this scam
- An unexpected caller says they are from Medicare and asks you to "confirm" your Medicare number, Social Security number or bank details.
- They offer something "free" — a new card, a back brace, a test kit — or try to sell you a plan.
- They pressure you to decide right now, or warn that your benefits will stop if you hang up.
What to do
- Do not give your Medicare number, Social Security number or bank information to anyone who calls you unexpectedly.
- Hang up. Do not press any buttons and do not call back the number that called you.
- If you want to check, call Medicare yourself at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
- If you already shared your Medicare number, call 1-800-MEDICARE and watch your Medicare statements for services you did not receive.
- Report suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE, the HHS Office of Inspector General, or your Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-877-808-2468.
Send this to someone you love
A quick share can stop a scam before it starts.
Where to report it
Reporting helps investigators spot patterns and warn others — even if you did not lose money. Type these addresses yourself or use the links below; do not use links from a suspicious message.
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Medicare
Suspected Medicare fraud, or charges on your Medicare statement you do not recognize.
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HHS Office of Inspector General
Medicare and Medicaid fraud, including people asking for your Medicare number.
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Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Any scam, fraud or bad business practice — calls, texts, emails, websites and impostors.
You can also report to your state attorney general. If you sent money, call your bank or card company right away using the number on the back of your card.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare ever call people?
Medicare.gov explains that Medicare only calls and asks for personal information in limited situations — for example, when an agent is returning your call after you left a message, joined a plan or reported fraud. Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at home.
Why do scammers want my Medicare number?
A stolen Medicare number can be used to bill Medicare for equipment, tests or services you never received. That can affect your records and your benefits.
The caller ID said 'Medicare.' Is that proof?
No. Caller ID can be faked to show any name or number. The only safe way to check is to hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself.
Sources
We rely on official government sources. Read how we check facts in our editorial policy.
- Medicare.gov: Reporting Medicare fraud & abuse (medicare.gov, accessed )
- FTC Consumer Alert: Medicare fraud affects everyone, so here's what to know and do (May 28, 2026) (consumer.ftc.gov, accessed )
- HHS Office of Inspector General: Report Fraud (oig.hhs.gov, accessed )
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