Medicare / Health Insurance Scam

Callers pretend to be from Medicare or a health insurance company offering free equipment or coverage updates, then steal your Medicare number to commit fraud and bill for services you never received.

A caller claims to represent Medicare or a health insurance company and offers something enticing — free genetic testing, a back or knee brace, or an updated Medicare card — but needs to "verify" the victim's Medicare number and other personal details first. The stolen Medicare number is then used to submit fraudulent claims for equipment or services the victim never received, which can max out benefits and complicate coverage for legitimate future care.

• An unsolicited call or text offering free medical equipment or a "new" Medicare card.
• A request to confirm your Medicare number over the phone.
• Pressure to accept a product or service you didn't ask for.
• Claims to be a Medicare representative but calls from an unfamiliar or spoofed number.

• Medicare will never call you asking for your Medicare number.
• Guard your Medicare number like a credit card number.
• Review your Medicare Summary Notice for charges you don't recognize.
• Report suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE.