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Medicare scams to avoid.

Scammers target seniors during enrollment seasons. Here are the most common red flags and the safest way to compare plans.

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Top Medicare scam red flags

  • "Medicare is calling you" cold calls. Medicare does not cold-call you to sell plans. If someone calls claiming to be Medicare and asking for your number, hang up.
  • "You owe money or your benefits will stop." Medicare does not threaten you over the phone.
  • "Free" gifts to attend a sales meeting. Federal rules limit what can be offered. High-value "free" items at a "Medicare seminar" are often misleading.
  • Door-to-door Medicare sales. Generally prohibited. Anyone showing up at your door uninvited is suspect.
  • Texts asking you to "verify" your Medicare number. Never share your Medicare number by text.

Safer ways to compare plans

  • Work with a licensed agent you sought out, not one who cold-contacted you
  • Use our comparison framework to know what to ask before any call
  • Verify any company by searching its name + "complaints" before sharing anything
  • Never give your Medicare number over the phone to someone who initiated the call

If you suspect fraud

Report Medicare fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE or the Medicare fraud hotline. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can also help, and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) trains volunteers specifically to help with fraud cases.

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