What's a red flag in a phone call that it might be a Medicare scam targeting my personal info?

Question

Rene Casanova · Accepted Answer

If someone calls a beneficiary and wants to speak to him/her about Medicare they should ask them for their name, phone number and agency they work with and then tell them you will report them to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare beneficiaries cannot be called by anyone unless they have previously given that person their permission to be contacted.

Answered by Rene Casanova on April 3, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Rene Casanova Medicare Insurance Agent

Robert Vaughan, R.Ph., MBA · Answer

Medicare agents or brokers cannot contact you to solicit Medicare Advantage or Medicare Pharmacy (Part D) plans without your explicit prior consent. If the caller identifies themself as being from Medicare, or is requesting personal information like your Medicare number, Social Security number or banking information it's a scam. The first question you should ask them is what is your state insurance license number?

Answered by Robert Vaughan, R.Ph., MBA on May 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, NM, NV & TX

Answered by Robert Vaughan, R.Ph., MBA Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Andrews · Answer

The major red flag is if the caller asks for your Medicare number fairly quickly into the call. The first questions should be about your doctors and prescriptions as well as questions about the coverage you are seeking. Working with a local broker in your community is always a great option.

Answered by Michael Andrews on April 15, 2025

Broker Licensed in CT

Answered by Michael Andrews Medicare Insurance Agent

Norman Smith · Answer

They should be able to give you their license # and you could verify that # via the State Insurance Board. All agents must be licensed and registered. Even if they are out of state, they need to be licensed in their state. 
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!

Diana Garner · Answer

The biggest red flag is when the caller asks for your personal information. Legit Medicare reps will never call you unexpectedly and ask for your info, such as Medicare or Social Security number.

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.

Michael Pyers · Answer

For one thing, making unsolicited calls to a Medicare recipient is against the law. Per CMS regulations.  And Ohio revised code 3901-8-09.

Joseph Peck · Answer

If they ask for your medicare number or social security number. Medicare will not call you, they use the mail and/or email if thats what you signed up for.

DeeDee Whitlock · Answer

Biggest red flag it might be a Medicare scam is that they called you!!! It is against Medicare policy to initiate a phone call to a Medicare Beneficiary to market a Medicare plan PERIOD!!! So if they call you HANG UP!! find a local agent who you can trust, ask your friends or even your Dr's office for referrals for an honest agent!!

Answered by DeeDee Whitlock on May 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in LA

Answered by DeeDee Whitlock Medicare Insurance Agent

Lavina Woart · Answer

A red flag in a phone call that might be a Medicare scam targeting personal information is you never initiated the call. The caller may be requesting sensitive non public information about your identity and have created some form of urgency in the conversation for you to provide the information.

Answered by Lavina Woart on April 8, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY, DE, IA, NJ & PA

Answered by Lavina Woart Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Henderson · Answer

Never give out your Medicare ID number and your dates 
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

Mel Stevens · Answer

Unfortunately seniors get bombarded with Medicare calls all day long. Some are legit but many are scams.   First of all, I never recommend signing up for Medicare over the phone.  Most legitimate calls come from an agent that only works for one company. In addition, usually are calling from another state that you don't even reside in.  Often when you set up a plan over the phone the agent doesn't even include your primary doctor on your plan and since the agent is out of state, they don't know all the best plans in your zip code.  

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.

Betty McCarty · Answer

A key warning sign of a Medicare scam is an unexpected call asking for personal information, such as your Medicare or Social Security number. 

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 at: bkconnections@comcast.net. We have combined 30 years in Medicare insurance experience, and we will be happy to talk with you.

Eizel Mere · Answer

Medicare will never call you in the phone unless you have made an appointment, even then most appointments are in person in the office. If you get an unexpected call from Social security, Medicare or your Medicare company always treat it as a scam. Do not provide any information (DOB, SS, MBI) over the phone.

Answered by Eizel Mere on May 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Eizel Mere Medicare Insurance Agent

Debra Weber · Answer

If they ask if you received your new medicare card. Do not give out the number.  Medicare does not call you unless you ask for a return call.

Dalton Johnson · Answer

Every Sunday, we have lunch at my grandparents' house, and they often share stories about the phone calls they've received that week regarding Medicare. Some of them are absolutely absurd! 

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!

What's a red flag in a phone call that it might be a Medicare scam targeting my personal info?

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What's a red flag in a phone call that it might be a Medicare scam targeting my personal info?

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