The Medicare / health-plan scam

Scammers impersonate Medicare or health-plan representatives to trick you into sharing personal information or money.

Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z

How it works

You receive an unsolicited call, text, or email claiming there's an urgent problem with your health coverage—a billing error, a missing form, or a security issue. The caller pressures you to act fast and confirms personal details like your Social Security number or Medicare number to 'verify your account.' They may claim you'll lose coverage or face penalties if you don't respond immediately.

What it can look like

You get a call from someone claiming to be from your health plan saying your coverage will be canceled in 24 hours unless you confirm your Social Security number and birth date. When you hesitate, they use your real name and part of your actual member ID to seem legitimate, then push you to act now.

How it unfolds

Scams like this follow a pattern. Knowing the arc helps you notice where you are — and step away before the ask.

You receive a call, text, or email claiming to be from Medicare or your health plan. The message sounds official and urgent—saying there's a problem with your account, a missing payment, or a security issue that needs immediate attention.

The caller asks you to 'verify' your information: your Social Security number, Medicare number, date of birth, or bank details. They may say this is routine or required by law. The tone feels professional and the questions feel normal for a healthcare conversation.

You're asked to confirm or update payment information, or you're told you qualify for a refund or new benefit. The caller may create mild pressure by saying the issue will worsen if you don't act now, or that the window to claim a benefit is closing.

Stop here: Real Medicare and legitimate health plans never ask for your Social Security number, full Medicare number, or banking details by phone or unsolicited email. If you sense pressure to decide fast or share sensitive information, this is the moment to hang up or delete the message.

Red flags

Unsolicited calls, texts, or emails asking you to confirm personal information or Medicare/member numbers.
Urgent threats about coverage being canceled, suspended, or fees being charged.
Requests for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or unusual methods.
Caller becomes defensive, rude, or hangs up when you ask to verify their identity independently.
A phone number or sender address that doesn't match the official contact info on your real insurance card.

What to do

Hang up and call the phone number on your actual insurance card or Medicare documentation—do not use a number the caller gave you.
Never give Social Security, Medicare, bank, or credit-card numbers to anyone who contacts you first.
Report the call, text, or email at reportfraud.ftc.gov so authorities can track scam patterns.

If it already happened

Acting quickly can limit the damage. You are not alone, and it is not your fault.

Stop all contact with the caller or sender immediately. Do not send any additional information or money. Block the phone number or email address if possible.
Contact your bank or credit card company right away if you shared payment information or sent money. Report the fraudulent charge and ask about reversing it or protecting your account.
Change the passwords for any online accounts you use (email, banking, healthcare portals) from a secure device. Use a strong, unique password for each.
Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Include details about when you were contacted, what information you were asked for, and whether you sent money or shared details.

Sources

Guidance on this page draws on public, authoritative consumer-protection resources (verified live 2026-07-10). Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-11T18:14:57.874Z.

Spotted this or lost money? Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov. This is general educational information, not legal or financial advice — and ScamVet never asks for your identity or account details.

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