Scam Alert · March 22, 2026 · Source: FTC

Fake Medicare card update calls

These calls often spike around announced Medicare changes. The caller sounds professional and may have your name and address already. They ask for your Medicare number, which scammers can use to commit medical identity theft — submitting fake claims under your name.

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Older adult reviewing a suspicious package delivery message

What it may look like

Fake Medicare verification call

"Hello, this is Sarah from Medicare. We're issuing new Medicare cards with extra security features and I need to verify your Medicare number to process your new card. Can you read me the number on the front of your current card? This will only take a minute."

What not to do

Do not read your Medicare number to anyone who calls you.
Do not confirm or correct personal information for unexpected callers, even if they have some of it right.
Do not pay for a new Medicare card — they are always free when Medicare issues them.

Safer next step

Hang up. If you're unsure whether Medicare actually needs something from you, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) directly — that number is on Medicare's official website.
Medicare never calls to verify your number. They only ask if you call them first.
Report Medicare scam calls to 1-800-MEDICARE or to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Family discussion prompt

Set a household rule: 'No one in our family reads a Medicare, Social Security, or bank number to anyone who calls us. If they say they need it, we hang up and call back using a number we look up ourselves.'

Source: FTC Consumer Alerts. KeepUp Academy summarizes and republishes plain-language guidance for older adults; we are not affiliated with the FTC.

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