Medicare phone scam: is that call real?

Q: How do I report a Medicare scam call?

Medicare gives you two direct routes: call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or report it online to the HHS Office of Inspector General at oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud. If the call was about a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare drug plan, there's a dedicated line — the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (I-MEDIC) at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379). Report the call to the FTC too, at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You don't need proof of a crime to report — the number that called, the date, and what they asked for is enough.

Editorially reviewed · Last updated July 15, 2026

Yes — this is a scam. Medicare doesn't call out of the blue to "verify" your number or threaten to cancel your coverage.

Incoming call

(800) 555-0142

maybe: Medicare

Voicemail transcript

“This is an automated call from Medicare. Your Medicare benefits are about to be cancelled because we could not verify your account. To keep your coverage active and receive your new card, press 1 now to confirm your Medicare number.”

The Phone call, as received

Other versions you might get: "Press 1" robocalls about a free new plastic or chip Medicare card, refunds you're owed, or free braces and test kits — often a live person who then asks for your Medicare number to "ship" it.

What to do right now

Hang up. Don't press 1, don't call back, and don't read out your Medicare number.
Never confirm numbers. Your Medicare, Social Security, or bank details are not something to give a caller.
Call back the real way. Reach Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE using the number on your card or medicare.gov.
Report it. File at reportfraud.ftc.gov and report Medicare fraud at medicare.gov.
If you already shared your number, call 1-800-MEDICARE to flag it, watch your statements for charges you don't recognize, and consider a free credit freeze.

How to make sure it never bites you

These calls reach you because your number sits on sold lists, and Medicare scams spike around enrollment season. Cut the volume — see how to stop spam calls.

Untrappable · Public service advisory

Stop the next one at the source

The calls keep coming because data brokers sell your number. Cutting that off is the only thing that reduces the volume — blocking one number won't, they just rotate. Start with the free steps.

Add your number to the Do Not Call RegistryFree, permanent, and it makes selling your number to legitimate callers illegal.
Report the call to the FTCHelps regulators go after the operations behind the robocalls.

Optional — if you'd rather it was handled for you

To actually cut the volume, a data-removal service files opt-out requests across the brokers selling your number and keeps you off their lists. You can do this by hand for free — the service is worth it because the removals don't stay put.

See data removal →

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Frequently asked

Does Medicare ever call you on the phone?

Not out of the blue. The FTC is clear: real Medicare representatives won't call, text, or email you unprompted to ask for your numbers or a payment. Medicare will only ask you to verify information if you contacted them first. So a call you didn't start — especially one asking for your Medicare number, a payment, or telling you your card is being cancelled — is a scam, no matter what the caller ID says.

Are the Medicare calls about a new card or benefits a scam?

Yes. Your Medicare card is free and mailed to you automatically — Medicare never charges for a "new" or "updated" card, and it won't phone you to arrange one. Any call offering a new plastic or chip card, free braces or test kits, or a refund you're owed is a scam fishing for your Medicare number. Hang up and, if you want to check, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself.

How do I report a Medicare scam call?

Medicare gives you two direct routes: call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or report it online to the HHS Office of Inspector General at oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud. If the call was about a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare drug plan, there's a dedicated line — the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (I-MEDIC) at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379). Report the call to the FTC too, at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You don't need proof of a crime to report — the number that called, the date, and what they asked for is enough.

I already gave out my Medicare number — what should I do?

Act, but don't panic — a Medicare number on its own isn't a drained bank account. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and tell them what happened. Then watch your claims: create an account at Medicare.gov to see your Original Medicare claims as they're processed, and compare the dates and services against your own calendar — billing for care you never got is how this scam pays out. Question anything you don't recognize with the provider's office, and report medical identity theft at identitytheft.gov. If you want a person to walk you through it, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) gives free local counseling — find yours at shiphelp.org.

Sources

Medicare Impersonators— Federal Trade Commission
Reporting Medicare fraud & abuse— Medicare.gov
Report Medicare fraud online— HHS Office of Inspector General
Find your local SHIP counselor— State Health Insurance Assistance Program

A public service

Help protect someone else

Scams spread because people stay quiet about them. If this could have fooled you, it can fool someone you know — a parent, a friend, the family group chat. Passing it on is the easiest good thing you'll do today. It's safe to forward, and stands on its own as a record for a bank or the police.