Will Medicare Ever Contact Me If There’s a Problem—Or Do Scammers Pretend to Be Medicare?

You’re sitting at the kitchen table when the phone rings. The person on the line says they’re from Medicare. They sound official. Maybe they say there’s been unusual activity on your account, or they want to confirm your Medicare number to send you a new card.

They’re polite. But something feels a little off.

You’re not alone.

Scammers have gotten more sophisticated, and Medicare beneficiaries are a favorite target. The trick is knowing how to tell what’s legitimate — and what’s not. Because while Medicare may contact you, it’s rare. And it almost never looks like a surprise phone call.

Here’s the truth: unless you’ve already initiated contact, Medicare will not call you out of the blue asking for personal information. Not your Medicare number. Not your Social Security number. Not your bank account details.

If someone’s asking for that over the phone — especially if they’re using pressure or scare tactics — there’s a good chance it’s a scam.

We’ve seen this happen in all kinds of ways:

1. Someone says they’re issuing new Medicare cards and needs your number to verify.

2. Someone claims your benefits are about to be cut off unless you confirm your information.

3. Someone offers “free medical equipment” or services — but only if you give them your Medicare details.

It’s scary because the calls can feel so real. Caller ID might even show a legitimate-looking number. That’s called “spoofing,” and it’s something scammers use to make their calls look more official.

But here’s your best line of defense: If you didn’t ask for the call — don’t trust it.

When Medicare really needs to get in touch with you, they’ll almost always send a letter first. If a follow-up is needed, it’ll typically be because you called them or submitted something that requires clarification. And even then, they won’t ask for sensitive information over the phone unless it's part of an ongoing conversation you initiated.

If you get a suspicious call, it’s okay to hang up. You can always call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE to ask if there’s anything going on with your account.

And if you're not sure what to believe? Call us. We’ll help you sort it out and make sure your information stays safe.

Your Medicare benefits are too important to take chances with — and so is your peace of mind.