If a caller you did not expect wants your Medicare number, it is a scam.

What they say

“This is Medicare calling. New cards are being issued and we need to verify your information before yours can be sent. Please confirm your Medicare number and date of birth so we can mail the updated card.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• Medicare never calls out of the blue to ask for your Medicare number. It already has it.
• Medicare cards are always free. There is no fee and no "verification call" required to get one.
• The caller needs you to read the number aloud, which is the entire purpose of the call.

What they say

“We are calling from the pharmacy about your prescription. There is a balance due, and we need to confirm your Medicare number and a card to release your medication, or the order will be cancelled.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• Your real pharmacy already has your information and does not cold-call demanding your Medicare number.
• The threat that your medication will be cancelled today is manufactured urgency.
• It pairs a small "balance due" with a request for your Medicare number and a card number.

What they say

“Open enrollment is ending and you are leaving money on the table. I can get you extra benefits, dental, and a grocery allowance on a new plan right now. Just confirm your Medicare number and I will switch you over today.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• Unsolicited "extra benefits" and "grocery allowance" calls are a high-pressure sales or scam tactic, not Medicare.
• No one should switch your plan over the phone on a cold call. It can cancel coverage you rely on.
• It always ends needing your Medicare number to "enroll" you.

What they say

“Good news, you pre-qualify for a Medicare-covered back and knee brace at no cost. We just need your Medicare number and your doctor's name to ship it out to you today.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• "Free" braces and supports offered by a cold caller are a billing scam aimed at your Medicare number.
• Medicare-covered equipment must be ordered by your own doctor, not a telemarketer who called you.
• The braces are billed to Medicare at high prices whether or not you need or ever use them.

What they say

“You have been selected for a free genetic cancer screening covered by Medicare. We will mail you a cheek-swab kit. Just verify your Medicare number and date of birth so we can process it.”

How to tell it’s a scam

• Medicare does not call to offer free genetic or DNA screening. This is a known fraud scheme.
• The "free" test is billed to Medicare for thousands of dollars, and the results are often never used by any doctor.
• It exists to collect your Medicare number and your DNA, both valuable to the scammer.