What's a red flag in a phone call that it might be a Medicare scam targeting my personal info?
Answered by 62 licensed agents
Answered by Rene Casanova on April 3, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX
Red flags in a phone call that might be a Medicare scam targeting my personal information? Well, it's kind of tough when you're talking to somebody on the phone to know whether or not you're really talking to a licensed agent. I would highly recommend, depending on what state or the agent you're talking to, not to make a decision right at that moment. If you don't feel comfortable providing personal information, whether it's your name, date of birth, Social Security number, or your Medicare number, it's important to make sure that the agent you're speaking to is actually licensed as a Medicare agent and that you're getting the right questions.
If you have a concern about that, the best thing you can do is look up a local agent in your area. I highly recommend sitting down with a licensed agent in your area. Preferably, if you can, either meet that person in person or have a Zoom call so you can identify them. But again, it's about feeling within yourself whether or not who you're speaking to is legitimate. So, again, you can always check with the state that that agent is licensed in to make sure that he is who he says he is. Hopefully, that answers your question.
Answered by Gary Church on January 9, 2026
Broker Licensed in Ca, AZ, NV & TX
Medicare will not call you and ask for your number. If they need to get a hold of you, they will send you a letter.
Answered by Mark Bilgere on September 16, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX, AR, IN & LA, MN, NE & OK
If you feel comfortable enough, agree to do a Face to Face at a "safe space" - even a Starbucks! I personally will come to your home where you are most comfortable! You can also see if they will do a Zoom Call with you, but you'll want to be careful there as well. Try to stay in State and local if you have fears of trust of the person. This should be a person you rely on and trust more than your Homeowners and Auto agent!
Listen for them telling you their services are "free" and they just need to get your Medicare # for assisting you. If they seem secretive in revealing any history of their company or themselves, that is also a red flag. Can they tell you where they are located or calling from? How long have they been working with Seniors in your state and locale? Can they provide any reference letters that you could follow up on? Are they rated with AM Best, which is similar to the BBB for private industry? Ask them to send some information that you can then follow up on, and give them a call back.
In truth, there are many good companies out there, so if you do not feel comfortable with someone, let them go, and have no worries about it!
Answered by Norman Smith on April 6, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL, AL, NJ & PA
Answered by Lt Col Tim Brown on May 29, 2025
Broker Licensed in TN, AL, CO & 10 other states
Answered by Pamela Masters on November 20, 2025
Broker Licensed in NC
Answered by Lynn C Shurtleff on October 18, 2025
Broker Licensed in TN, AR, CO & 6 other states
Legitimate Medicare representatives or licensed agents will never pressure you on the spot or demand sensitive information upfront. If the caller is pushy, won’t give you a callback number, or says things like “act now or lose your benefits,” hang up and report it.
A good rule of thumb: If it feels rushed or secretive, it’s probably not legitimate.
Also, if they call and say they are from your health plan and have found a better plan for you… Hang up and call your agent or call your health plan member services line immediately.
Answered by Lauren Fodde on September 26, 2025
Broker Licensed in MO & FL
Answered by Michael Andrews on April 15, 2025
Broker Licensed in CT
Answered by Cody Hebden, MBA, CLU, FLMI on August 18, 2025
Broker Licensed in NC & SC
Try to find a local agent that is contracted with multiple carriers so that you can make sure you get a fair review of all your options, and that they explain it in detail.
If you don’t recognize the number don’t answer the phone. That’s the best advice I can give a Medicare beneficiary.
Answered by Lauryn Ivey on September 19, 2025
Broker Licensed in AL
So what’s a red flag in a phone call that it might be a scam?
One of the biggest red flags is someone asking for your Medicare Number, Social Security Number, or banking information over the phone—especially if you didn’t call them.
For example, if someone says:
“We need your Medicare Number to issue a new card…”
“You’re eligible for free medical equipment—just confirm your Medicare details…”
“We’re from Medicare and need to verify your information…”
That’s a red flag.
Here’s why: Medicare will never call you out of the blue and ask for personal or financial information. Neither will legitimate insurance agents you haven’t contacted first.
A few other warning signs:
High-pressure tactics like “You must act now!”
Offers that sound too good to be true
Callers who won’t give a callback number or a mailing address
What can you do?
If something feels off, hang up and report the call to 1-800-MEDICARE or to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Sources:
Medicare.gov – Protect Yourself from Medicare Scams (2025)
Federal Trade Commission – Medicare Scam Alerts (2025)
You worked hard for your benefits—protecting them starts with staying alert. If you’re ever unsure about a call, I’m just a message away and happy to double-check it for you.
Answered by Edward Givens on July 22, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ, CA, CO & 12 other states
Answered by Mark Sannes on March 5, 2026
Broker Licensed in WA, AK, AZ & 11 other states
Answered by David Quintal on June 8, 2025
Broker Licensed in NH, AL, AZ & 14 other states
Answered by Robert Vaughan, R.Ph., MBA on May 8, 2025
Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, ID, NM, NV & TX
Answered by Donna Lueders on March 9, 2026
Broker Licensed in FL, GA, LA, NC & SC
Answered by Jeffrey Horn on January 26, 2026
Agent Licensed in IL, AZ, CO & 17 other states
Answered by Wade Lashley on July 2, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ, IN & KY
Answered by Alyssa Burgos on June 2, 2025
Broker Licensed in CO, AZ & TX
You should not have to divulge any personal information such as your Social Security #, Medicare # or bank information. Other red flags would include offering anything free or saying you need to apply now & they not allow you to call them back.
Answered by Misty Scaggs on July 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in MO, FL & IL
Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 8, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
Scammers may:
1) pressure you to act right away
2) claim there are new or better benefits available then ask for your Medicare number
3) promise free or discounted services in exchange for your info
4) offer large refunds or rebates
I make it a point to tell my clients to be cautious when answering the phone, and if they do get a call about new benefits, they need to tell the caller, "I need to speak to my broker and confirm with them". Most of the time, the caller will either hang up or pressure them more but they call me and I can review what they were being told. Most of the time I have found the information they were given was inaccurate.
Answered by Diana Garner on April 14, 2025
Broker Licensed in KY, FL, IN, OH & TN
Answered by Jim Tretola on November 22, 2025
Broker Licensed in NJ, CA, CT & 6 other states
Answered by Michael Pyers on April 7, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH & MI
Answered by Barbara Barnes, CMIP® on July 17, 2025
Agent Licensed in PA
Answered by DeeDee Whitlock on May 19, 2025
Broker Licensed in LA
Answered by Melanie Blackston on May 28, 2025
Broker Licensed in SC, GA & NC
Medicare will never contact you out of the blue to request this. Be cautious of offers for free or discounted medical supplies, services, or money in exchange for your information.
Scammers may also falsely claim you’re owed a refund or rebate to get your details.
If you have further questions or feel you are being scammed, please reach out to your local insurance agent. They can log into your account and see if there are any pressing issues with your current insurance.
Also, feel free to email us. We have combined 30 years in Medicare insurance experience, and we will be happy to talk with you.
Answered by Betty McCarty on April 23, 2025
Agent Licensed in WA
Answered by David Haynes on September 30, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX
Answered by Donald Elliott on December 18, 2025
Broker Licensed in AL, GA & MS
Answered by Nancy Courser on February 23, 2026
Agent Licensed in MI, FL & TN
Answered by Hugo Luis Mion on January 4, 2026
Agent Licensed in FL
If the caller asks for your Medicare ID NEVER give this Information over the phone to anyone you don't know
Answered by Sheila Dow on July 21, 2025
Agent Licensed in CT
Answered by Frank Adkisson on January 2, 2026
Broker Licensed in NE, AR, AZ & 13 other states
Answered by Lavina Woart on April 8, 2025
Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DE & FL, IA, NJ & PA
Here's why this is a red flag:
Medicare will never ask for sensitive information over the phone. The Medicare Family says
Scammers often use this tactic to gather information for fraud or identity theft. Bitdefender says
The call might be part of a "new Medicare card" scam, where scammers claim your current card is invalid and pressure you to provide details for a new one.
In addition to requesting personal information, other red flags include:
Pressuring you to act quickly or immediately.
Offering unsolicited services or benefits that sound too good to be true.
Threatening to cancel your Medicare benefits if you don't provide information.
Claiming there's a pending refund or rebate that requires your Medicare number.
If you receive such a call, hang up and verify the caller's identity with Medicare or a trusted source.
Answered by Fred Manas on May 23, 2025
Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states
The only time you ever need to provide that information is if you are at your doctor's office or you're getting something done at a hospital or you're buying Medicare related insurance
Initially to get a quote even with insurance as an agent I only ask for the A&b dates because I don't need the number until I actually enroll a person
So guard that one with your life. Scammers are trying to get that information so they can file false claims and get paid by Medicare
Answered by Gary Henderson on April 19, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 46 other states
Answered by Andrew Kramer on August 25, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL
Answered by Mike Henry on June 27, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX
It is recommended that if you didn't ask for the call or didn't give permission to call, it is best to disconnect.
Medicare will not call you; instead, they will mail any correspondence relevant to your account.
Do not give out your Medicare number over the phone unless you are sure about the company or agent that you are speaking with.
Answered by Deborah Webster on June 5, 2025
Broker Licensed in Ia & SC
Answered by Eizel Mere on May 19, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL
Answered by Antonio Rodriguez on December 18, 2025
Broker Licensed in OR
Answered by Joseph Peck on May 19, 2025
Agent Licensed in MI, AL, CO, KS & TN
Answered by Michael Kim on July 14, 2025
Agent Licensed in NV, AR, AZ & 18 other states
Answered by Don Hansford on September 15, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX
Scams are very prevalent. Some of the major things to watch out for. When you first pick up the phone, often there will be a short pause, then you will hear a little blip sound. After the blip, usually there is a guy with an Indian accent that answers with a name like Sam or Mike. From there they start blabbing about all of these benefits that usually you don't qualify for. The next step, they ask you to pull out your Medicare or you red, white and blue card. If you have a card that is older than 5-6 years old, then your Medicare number is your social security number. The guy on the phone will ask you to verify your Medicare number, date of birth and sometimes your address. Now they have enough information to pull a scam. Be careful out there folks.
Answered by Mel Stevens on April 28, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
I would say if you receive a phone call and that Kaller asked for your Medicare number Social Security number or banking info within the first five minutes of the phone call that’s a red flag for me. I recommend looking for a local broker and you reach out to them directly. That way you know you’re dealing with a professional licensed individual that can help you with your Medicare..
Most beneficiaries don’t realize Medicare brokers offer advice, guidance, and expertise to simplify Medicare at no cost to you.
Answered by Toni Chavez on June 8, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ, CA, NM, NV & UT
Answered by John Motsinger on October 3, 2025
Agent Licensed in KY, CO, FL & 9 other states
Answered by James Wareheim on July 7, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL, GA, NC, NV & SC
Answered by Bruce Resnick on October 13, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX
Answered by Jose Felix Arevalo on January 26, 2026
Broker Licensed in TX
Answered by Donald Baker on December 15, 2025
Agent Licensed in MN
• If a caller asks for your Medicare number, Social Security number, bank info, or credit card, that is a warning sign.
• If they say you must “act now” or you will lose your benefits, that is a scare tactic.
• If they say they are “from Medicare” and try to sign you up for a plan, that is a scam. Medicare does not call people to sell plans.
• If the caller refuses to tell you the company name, hang up.
• If the caller gets angry or pushy when you ask questions, that is another warning sign.
• If the call sounds too good to be true, like offering gifts or money for signing up, it is not real.
A safe rule is simple. If the call feels strange or makes you uncomfortable, hang up and call your trusted agent instead.
Every licensed Medicare agent has an NPN number.
• You can look up that number on the NIPR website (see below) to make sure they are licensed in your state.
• A real agent will give it to you without hesitation.
• A scammer will avoid the question or hang up.
If you ever feel unsure, ask for the NPN, check it on NIPR, and call your trusted agent before giving any personal info.
Answered by Randy Hill on December 4, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH, AL, AZ & 7 other states
Answered by Philip Santucci on June 5, 2025
Broker Licensed in IL
Answered by Lakisha Bryant on August 3, 2025
Broker Licensed in LA, MI & TX
Answered by Lesley Paul on December 2, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL
Answered by Robin Earley on July 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in IL
Answered by Steven Rukhman on July 28, 2025
Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, NM, NV, OR & TX
Answered by Debra Weber on April 4, 2025
Broker Licensed in PA, DE, FL & 5 other states
Most recently, my grandfather mentioned that he received a call from someone who insisted that his Medicare red, white, and blue card was expiring. They asked him for the card number so they could send a new one. The caller also claimed they worked for the federal government. Be cautious of these types of calls!
Answered by Dalton Johnson on May 23, 2025
Agent Licensed in NC
Answered by Kirsten Love on July 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in MT
That would be a Red Flag!
Answered by Beth Duncan on December 29, 2025
Agent Licensed in SC & GA
Tags: Advice for Seniors
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