Medicare Scams Are Getting Harder to Spot — Here's What to Watch For

Scammers target Medicare beneficiaries year-round, but they ramp up every fall when the Annual Enrollment Period opens on October 15. If you've received a suspicious call, a piece of mail that didn't feel quite right, or a visit from an agent who pushed a little too hard — this page is for you. I put it together because no one in your corner should let you walk into open enrollment without knowing what to look for.

Medicare Will Not Call You — Period

This is the single most important thing to know: Medicare does not make outbound calls to beneficiaries unless you called them first. If your phone rings and someone says they're from Medicare, they are not from Medicare. The real Medicare program does not call you to offer new benefits, verify your card, or update your information. Hang up. You do not owe them a conversation.

Scam callers often sound official. They use terms like "Medicare Benefits Coordination" or "Federal Health Program" and may already know your name or partial address. That information is not hard to find — it does not mean the call is legitimate. The rule is simple: if you did not initiate the call, treat it as a scam.

Common phone scam tactics to recognize:

• Callers claiming your Medicare card needs to be replaced or reactivated
• Offers of "free" medical equipment, tests, or benefits in exchange for your Medicare number
• Urgency language — "this offer expires today" or "you'll lose your coverage if you don't act now"
• Requests for your Social Security number, bank account, or Medicare ID over the phone

How to Tell Real Medicare Mail from Fake

Scam mailers are designed to look like government correspondence. They use official-sounding names, blue and red color schemes, and language that mimics CMS notices. Some are convincing enough that even careful people pause before tossing them.

Here's what genuine Medicare mail will never do:

• Ask for your Medicare card number, Social Security number, or bank information
• Offer vague "new benefits" without referencing your specific plan or coverage
• Include a phone number that routes to a call center pushing a particular plan
• Pressure you to respond by a specific date to keep your current coverage

Real correspondence from Medicare or Social Security will reference your name and, often, your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). It will direct you to medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE — not to a toll-free number printed in large type with no other identifying information. When something feels off, trust that instinct. Call me or contact the smpwi.org Wisconsin Senior Medicare Patrol before responding to anything you're unsure about.

What a Legitimate Medicare Agent Will — and Won't — Do

A licensed, independent Medicare broker operates under strict federal and state rules. Knowing those rules is one of the fastest ways to identify someone who isn't following them.

A legitimate agent will:

• Schedule appointments in advance and only visit your home if you have invited them
• Never ask for your Medicare number until you have selected a plan and are ready to enroll
• Provide their name, the name of their agency, and the carriers they represent
• Never charge you a consultation fee — doing so violates federal law and risks license revocation
• Give you time to think, compare options, and ask questions without pressure

A legitimate agent will not:

• Show up at your door uninvited to sell Medicare coverage
• Conduct a sales presentation in a common area like a lobby, hallway, or parking lot
• Ask for your Medicare ID, Social Security number, or bank information upfront
• Offer cash, gift cards, or other inducements to get you to enroll in a plan
• Tell you the consultation is free as a favor — it's free because the law requires it

If an agent you've spoken with did any of the items on that second list, you have every right to walk away and report them. I'm happy to help you figure out the right next step.

Annual Enrollment Period — When Scams Peak

Every year from October 15 through December 7, Medicare beneficiaries can switch plans, drop coverage, or add prescription drug coverage. Scammers know this window well. The volume of fraudulent calls, mailers, and door-to-door visits spikes during these seven weeks because the urgency of the enrollment deadline is real — and they use that urgency against you.

During the Annual Enrollment Period, be especially cautious about:

• Unsolicited calls or texts about "new 2025 Medicare benefits" available only for a limited time
• Mailers with enrollment deadlines that don't match the official October 15 – December 7 window
• Agents who pressure you to make a decision on the spot rather than scheduling a follow-up
• Online ads that ask you to enter your Medicare number to "see your options"

The best way to navigate open enrollment safely is to work with an agent you already know and trust — or to reach out to one before the window opens so you're not making decisions under pressure.

What to Do If You Think You've Been Targeted

If you received a suspicious call, gave out information you now regret, or encountered an agent whose behavior raised red flags, take action sooner rather than later. You are not alone in this, and there are clear steps to follow.

1. Do not call the number back. If you received a suspicious voicemail or mailer, do not engage with the contact information provided in it.
2. Check your Medicare Summary Notice. Review it for any claims you don't recognize — this is one of the first signs that your information has been misused.
3. Call 1-800-MEDICARE. Report the incident directly to the Medicare program. They can flag your account and advise on next steps.
4. Contact the smpwi.org Wisconsin Senior Medicare Patrol. SMP Wisconsin investigates Medicare fraud and can help you understand whether your information was compromised and what to do about it.
5. Reach out to me. If you're unsure whether a call, mailer, or agent interaction was legitimate, I'm glad to help you work through it. There's no charge for that conversation.

Medicare Scams — Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About a Call or Mailer? I'm Happy to Help.

You shouldn't have to sort through Medicare scams on your own. If something you received felt off — a phone call, a piece of mail, a visit from an agent — bring it to me. I'll tell you honestly whether it looks legitimate and what to do next. That's what an independent broker who works for you is supposed to do.

If you're approaching Medicare eligibility or due for an annual plan review, this is also a good time to get your coverage sorted out with someone you trust — so you're not left making decisions under pressure during enrollment season.