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Scammers follow the news – and the money. A few months ago, we shared the news that Medicare is sending new cards to everyone who gets Medicare benefits, replacing your Social Security number with another number. As expected, scammers have been trying to cash in on this change.

These scammers typically reach out by phone and have tried a few different tactics. Sometimes, they claim to be a Medicare representative and ask to verify (ahem, steal) your information. Or they claim that there’s a fee for your new card (there isn’t). Others claim that your Medicare card was compromised and you need to move your money from your bank into “safer accounts” (it wasn’t, you don’t, and following their advice means putting your money in their pockets). We’ve even heard of some scammers offering plastic versions of the card for a fee – even though the real Medicare cards are paper and there are no legitimate plastic cards.

How can you avoid these scams? Remember these tips:

  • Don’t give personal information to get your new Medicare card. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare, asking for your Social Security number, bank information, or other information to get your new card, that’s a scam. Hang up. Medicare will never ask you to give personal information to get your new Medicare number and card.
  • Don’t pay for your new card. It’s yours for free. If anyone calls and says you need to pay for it, that’s a scam. Hang up.

If you’ve already given out your bank account information over the phone, talk to your bank immediately. You’ll want to deal with any unauthorized activity on your account as soon as possible.

For more information about the new Medicare cards, go to go.medicare.gov/newcard.

And if you’re a victim of a scam, report it to the FTC.

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Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
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Debi12
September 20, 2018
Thanking you for posting the article. If someone calls me and claims they are from Medicare and asks me for personal information, I will hang up right away.
B A Smart 1
January 14, 2019

In reply to by Debi12

Yes, I've received quite a few of these calls, and although I normally don't answer--just block the call--there are a few occasions that I followed their dialog to a certain point. They always ask to 'verify' information such as birth date, address, etc., and then they want to get the new card number, which is not the SS#. Time to hang up! Kind of worried today though, because I received 3 calls from what appeared to be the Medicare report hotline, 1-800-633-4227, and there is no reason for them to call. I suspect that the criminals are now spoofing the Medicare 1-800 line in order to get through to potential victims. I tried to report this to Medicare (25 min wait) and SS (55 minute wait), but I decided to do this instead. Other people may actually see this information...I hope.
Alberta T
February 22, 2019

In reply to by Dk

I have had several of these calls on my cell phone. No way to inform Medicare, so I'm following your lead....do not give any information
Donna F
March 08, 2019

In reply to by Alberta T

I received 4 calls on March 7, 2019 from different numbers saying they were Medicare liaisons saying I could could get free braces to help reduce pain and asked for my card number I hung up and blocked all numbers.
A
March 21, 2019

In reply to by Donna F

Just received the same call from "Medicare Providers of MI" and they spoke with my older mom but she hung up and then called back to try again and the guy had a very aggressive tone. Called another three times but stopped for now. The call is from Bartow, FL and 863-578-6951.
Tracy D.
June 09, 2020

In reply to by Donna F

I just recieved a call from a 978 number i didnt recognize it but figured I'd answer he claimed to be from medicare and that I got approved for back braces. 1st off I dont need a back brace then i said medicare dont call from a 978 number and they usually send you something in the mail if anything. He kept being persistent so i hung up on him and blocked that number. The number he called from is 978.876.9671 its a scam. June 9th 2020 is when he called.
Chris F
July 14, 2020

In reply to by Tracy D.

Just received a call from someone claiming to be calling from Medicare and sending a well ness packet. Just needed to confirm my new medicare number. Phone number239 314 2390
Yes...You can …
February 17, 2021

In reply to by Alberta T

Yes...You can call the 800 number on the back of your Medicare card. Or Medicare.gov Got a scam call (I never answer my phone but it was my area code so I answered). He said he was calling for Medicare Health Insurance (which is what it shows at top of my card). Said my red, white & blue card was going to expire in 3 days and that's why he was calling by phone. Medicare was replacing my card with a new Black & White COVID card and ANY related charges I had to COVID would be paid for by Medicare. He read my name and I DID verify, so shame on me, and then he asked for my coverage date, and I gave him that. Again..shame on me! Then he asked for what he was REALLY AFTER...my number. Told him he should have all that info. I wasn't going any farther. Then he read my address, a PO Box address I had 7-8 years ago, and I said "you know what? I'm just going to call Medicare." He said "let me let you talk with my supervisor". "Noooo...that's okay...we're done". And I called Medicare's 800 number. Reported Attempted Fraud. She was able to see if Medicare initiated any calls to me, and she said No..they did not. Reminded me of DoNotCall list and if I'm on it, to make a report. I've looked and both my cell and home are on it, so I'm going to make a report. My phone service also allows me to put up to 99 Blocked numbers and I'm doing that. It also has a system where I can block "robo" calls, whereby a real person has to punch in a number to ring my phone. Hope this helps!
ALAAE
March 07, 2019

In reply to by Dk

I just received a call. It came in at 7:00 a.m. on my cell. I have been getting numerous calls daily which is most annoying. The person with a heavy foreign accent asked if I had received my new Medicare card. I knew not to say the word “yes” because if I was being recorded they can use my voice and the recorded “yes” to commit other fraud. He asked if I was aware of the new Part B benefits. The I decided to push back a bit and asked for his “agent” number. He stumbled with it and then said “5464”. I said, “where are you located? He replied, “San Diego California.” My response was, “so it’s 4:00 a.m. in San Diego and you are calling ME at 7:00 a.m.?” I asked for his phone number and was given (619)658-7116. It took him 4 tries to give me the same number twice. I recognized this voice from other harassing calls...same guy, different scam. I told him I knew he was a fraud and hung up.
MKEDon't use y…
May 20, 2019

In reply to by Dk

Similar experience - got me off-guard. Stopped before giving entire number and told the guy I thought he was a data miner. Hung up and tried to call Medicare. Long wait - abandoned ship! Thisu[ is life and the gov is not stepping up. Bad news.
P.J.
September 20, 2018
Thanks for the info. In regard to paper cards (Medicare, Social Security and others), I "laminate" mine with clear packing tape so that they hold up longer. (I'm a watercolor artist, so I also do this with book marks, gift tags and greeting cards.) You don't need to pay who knows who for a plastic one.
T.D.P.
September 21, 2018

In reply to by P.J.

That used to be illegal. I don't know if it still is.
hank
September 20, 2018
Thanks Govie. Superb info.
neptune6
September 20, 2018
Just received phone call #561-763-8561 did not answer I have caller ID however the name said illegal scam this seems like a scam number . anybody else get these.
butterflywings
October 02, 2018

In reply to by neptune6

The 561 area code is in Florida starting down in the area of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Boynton, Wellington and so on in that area.
L. H.
March 19, 2019

In reply to by neptune6

I been getting calls from different numbers. The guy 'Mark' started screaming at me when i told him not to call back, telling me I had to listen to him. I block these numbers but somehow they keep calling back anyway.
Williams
September 20, 2018
I forgot my username and password.
marina52
September 20, 2018
In Austria, we do not have this type of cheating but it will go to the doctor with fremdei medical card people so the social insurance cheated. Therefore, now with doctor visit also ID card required and copied to see whether nexte times the same person or another uses the card
HeidiQ
September 20, 2018
thank you for your information to keep us safe from scammers. Recently I was very sick and someone from Medicare (so they said) called. They did ask for my new medicare card number but I could not get to it (thankfully). I did, however give them the last four digits of my SSN. I can see how easy it is to call people who are old and/or sick for information as we sometimes are not thinking straight. Maybe I should report that call. She told me someone would be calling me and her code was a smiley face. I do not answer unknown numbers so, to my knowledge no one has called and my SSN has not been used by anyone.
ShariYS
September 20, 2018

In reply to by HeidiQ

Yes, you should report that call!!!
tweedle
September 20, 2018
I have been getting calls that say social security contacted them to tell me that they are an agency tahts connected to social security for the ticket to work they don't even know my name. I played it for my doctor and he said they were not who they said they are. He said they didn't even use your name anyhow they would send a letter in the mail. They have still been calling me at least 2 to 4 times aweek . The number you need to watch out for is 888-879-1450 i have been letting it go to voice mail i have never called them at all WHY??? THEY ARE SCAMMERS TOO.
Jean
September 20, 2018
I have not seem anything to distinguish the two cards. I am assuming that social security number continues for IRS and some other official documents and that new Medicare number is ONLY for Medicare. If this is correct, please say so. Perhaps a newsletter for all Medicare holders might be helpful as well.
FTC Staff
September 20, 2018

In reply to by Jean

Your new card will have a unique Medicare number instead of your Social Security number. You will show the card when you get services from a doctor, hospital, or other health care provider.

Mom58
September 20, 2018
I received a phone call yesterday from a scammer b4 he could finish his sentence I hung up on him.
SickOfCrooks
September 20, 2018
How about the older scam that is still going around. People who barely speak english keep calling claiming they are from medicare back and pain department. They have somehow gotten my daughters name, address and cell number. I don't know how they end up making money but apparently they are "selling" braces. I guess what they are after in these calls is to get the actual medicare number. Different phone numbers show up on caller id. They are relentless.
DoTwayner
September 20, 2018
Next time they call, try waiting for the CID to appear, then quickly answer and then hang up, before the next ring arrives if possible. For whatever reason, that seems to stop the calls, or at least the ones I am getting and I think I've had them all, including this scam.
hank
September 20, 2018
We have also gotten the calls about the braces. Even though it's flat out told them that our doctor never ordered braces. Now the box has arrived that has not been ordered. And the braces are inside for multiple parts of the body. The paperwork Inside the Box requires all the important numbers to be sent to them. Then they will Bill a person's Medicare. Yeah it's all fake. Now they call on the phone after we requested a return label. The man speaking broken English said we do not need to return the braces. And since they have no numbers no one can be charged for what is in the Box. The man said we do not need to return the Box. The box return label is from danco Doctors Medical . 685 South Ronald Reagan Boulevard Suite 101. Longwood Florida 32750 . And another box will be on its way. That we may refuse delivery. When I said to him that is great because we never ordered any braces in the first place. He hung up on me. Go figure...
freemedsuppquotes
September 20, 2018
Scammers are persistent. They never stop nor even lose hope. Worst is, they take advantage of our elderly which are people who easily trust others. I think they use multiple phone numbers, making it hard for them to track. That is why it is also helpful to let others know of the phone numbers they used so that people we will be able to create a list of numbers to watch out for. They might be doing scams not just in Medicare but in other elderly services or products for elderly, like Medigap plans, ltc insurance, advantage plans etc. We don’t know what other tactics they can pull off just to trick people and get their money. Be skeptical at all times.
Judy
September 21, 2018
I receive about five to ten scam calls weekly. Since we have the numbers the scammers call from, why doesn't law enforcement investigate these scammers and shut them down. (I realize that they can constantly get new phone numbers, but there has to be a method for catching the persons behind the phone numbers.)
Petey
September 24, 2018

In reply to by Judy

Most of the time the numbers displayed are not their real numbers. Frankly, the telephone companies should be able to come up with methods to detect these scam calls and prevent them from reaching people.
MKEDon't use y…
May 20, 2019

In reply to by Judy

The phone numbers are bogus. Cannot be traced. Have talked to local police - they are at a loss.
Terri
September 21, 2018
Do not even answer calls w/o a caller ID ever as all my Main Contacts have a Caller ID. Smart Senior Citizen I be!
ProfeChari
September 21, 2018
Thank you for warning the public about this! I usually hang up when I realize it is one of these scammers, but recently the woman sounded so official she almost had me convinced she represented my healthcare program, which includes Medicare. When she asked for my new card number, I realized she was not legitimate. I told her I would have to look for it and asked for her name, badge number, and call-back number, all of which she supplied! I called my healthcare representative on my cell phone, and the scammer called me back while we were talking. So, she was able to hear the conversation. The scammer became suspicious, and we heard a click. My representative tried the call-back number supplied, and it was fake. When she tried to call back at the number on my caller id, it had been disconnected. She filed the information through the proper department. I was contacted to make sure my information had not been compromised. The scammer was convincing and pushy, giving me time and insisting that I get my Medicare card! They are becoming better at what they do. We have to be aware, or they can easily catch us with our guard down. Thank you again for keeping us informed.
buddykay
September 22, 2018
Received "official document" in the mail yesterday claiming Medicare Information update. The return card was just a single piece of mail in which anyone could observe the requested data: Name, Phone, Date of Birth for husband and wife and email address. The return address was as follows: National Response Center, P O Box 9275, Salt Lake City, UT 84109-9904. Of course, I am shredding this piece of scam mail
arianabrooke
September 22, 2018
When I get a scam call, I just put the phone aside. At least, that ties up THEIR phone line for a while.
Kolb
September 24, 2018
twice I have called the number on my caller ID (cell) and twice I spoke with an individual who said that they know nothing. It seems that the scammers can use anyone's personal number to call me (us). Is that possible? The car warrenty creeps call 3-4 times a day. I asked one how can I get off of your calling list - he hung up.
ricoshea
September 27, 2018
my phone sends faxes if needed also every call I get the phone number that I receive is printed out on a paper I have installed waiting for the next call.
pelaine
September 27, 2018
Received a folded letter with Medicare Information Update in upper left corner where return addresses are supposed to be. It was requesting name, phone, DOB, email address and names of husband /wife. Stated that a recent bulletin indicates Medicare enrollees are to receive benefits from sweeping legislation passed by Congress. Changes in Medicare spending will protect health & economic security of older Americans and their families according to the report. For free information on "Medicare Changes and The New Federal Budget Legislation" and information on new Medicare Supplement plans, return reply card.
swskin.se
October 02, 2018
___123___Hang up on Medicare card scams | Consumer Information___123___
bill
October 03, 2018
Got a call from 814-324-5161 they claimed to be From social security and wanted my ssa #
Manny
October 08, 2018
Laminating Social security and Medicare cards invalidates them. Don't do this
Xander4251
October 09, 2018
Thanks for keeping our lives safer from scammers and scams.
Janet duckworth
October 10, 2018
Received a landline phone call from 757-966-3011 showing in the i.d. as EARL INDUSTRIES AND I ANSWERED HELLO AND THEY SAID 'JANET"? They said then that the call was being recorded and I said so-what I do not care, so why are you calling?": I told them I do not have any business with Earl Industries and then they hung up. The I. D. # 757-966-3011 -= Earl Industries. How do I report this or to block this and the Unknown Caller number which does not show on my landline phones?
franny
October 12, 2018
Just got a call from 1-862-231-2552 and Medicare came up on caller id so I answered. Broken english speaker verfied what my results were from last doctor appointment, that was very upsetting she knew all this, and then proceeded to tell me I was qualified for a back brace, well, the ole light bulb finally went off so I immediately hung up. No personal info was given to her by me, just don't know how she found out about info from dr. appt.
Tony 333
November 10, 2018

In reply to by franny

Maybe she was the real thing , there are people in the United States that have an accent, like myself, but that does not i am a conn artist
michael 1360
October 18, 2018
I kept getting a call from same number every day. I made mistake of answering one day this guy said he was from MEDICARE and wanted to save me money. Yeah right. of course he wanted my new number on my MEDICARE card which I wouldn't give him. Always remember that no government agency will call you and want info. So fed up with scammers why can't they get a honest job. We live in such a society that want to prey on people that have worked hard for anything they have. TO ALL SCAMMERS OUT THERE GET A LEGAL JOB.
michael 1360
October 18, 2018
SCAMMERS tried to get my new MEDICARE number which I didn't give them. I let my guard down AND ANSWERED THE PHONE. He said he wanted to help me save money. Didn't give info got his phone # said I'd call him back reported him to Federal Trade Commission. TO ALL SCAMMERS OUT THERE GET YO AN HONEST JOB LEAVE US ALONE.
DickD
October 24, 2018
I received a call from someone claiming to be from Medicare asking if I had received my new card. I said that I had not, even though I actually had received it. He asked me what the number was on the card and I gave it to him (my bad). Does my giving out my new number (not my ssn) create any potential problems, and if so, can a get a new replacement number?
larry
October 31, 2018
I got my first scammer call from 619-378-8103 two weeks ago. Nine calls since! They said they were from Medicare and asked a lot of questions. Said it was pertaining to my new card. I needed to be home the day it was supposed to arrive in the mail, and "How Much do I weigh"? Then I realized it was a scam. My ninth call was today, and I was not very nice. I told him I knew who he was and if he called me one more time he was going to Prison, because I used to work for Medicare and know the ropes. And I cussed him out and then he hung up. East Indian accent in case you need to know. I looked up the number online. Red Flags on this number. Most claim he's a Telemarketer, so he might say anything. Beware. Medicare will Never Call You!
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