AARP Hearing Center
Medicare Open Enrollment Season Is Here. So Are the Scammers.
Medicare Open Enrollment Season runs every year from October 15 through December 7. During this time, people with Medicare can review their current coverage, explore options, and make changes to their health care coverage.
Unfortunately, it’s also a busy season for scammers. As millions of people evaluate their coverage options, criminals look for opportunities to impersonate Medicare representatives to steal personal or financial information.
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
How It Works
- You receive a phone call, text message, email, or even an in-person visit from someone claiming to represent Medicare, the federal government, or a well-known insurance provider.
- They may offer plan upgrades, promise a new Medicare card, or warn that your coverage will be canceled unless you take a particular action.
- They ask for sensitive information, such as your Medicare or Social Security number, or bank information.
What You Should Know
- Scammers often use caller ID spoofing to make it appear as if their calls are coming directly from Medicare.
- Medicare will not contact you out of the blue, nor will they ask for your Medicare number.
- Someone claiming that you will receive a new Medicare card by taking an action (sharing your Medicare number or sensitive personal information) is lying to you.
What You Should Do
- Share your Medicare number only with your health care providers (doctors and pharmacists you receive care from, for example).
- If someone contacts you unexpectedly about your coverage, do not engage.
- If you are concerned you have a problem with your coverage, call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).
- Medicare’s normal Open Enrollment communications include the official “Medicare & You” handbook the agency sends (if you opted in for electronic, you will receive a link when the latest version is available), information on Medicare.gov, and emails you have signed up to receive.
Knowledge gives you power over scams. The AARP Fraud Watch Network equips you with reliable, up-to-date insights and connects you to our free fraud helpline so you can better protect yourself and loved ones. We also advocate at the state, federal and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.
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Help fight fraud with AARP's Fraud Watch Network, a free resource. Learn how to spot and report scams, and get alerts to stay ahead of scammers.