7 Medicare Scam Calls Georgians Get Every Open Enrollment Season

Medicare open enrollment can bring a lot more phone calls than usual.

Georgians on Medicare, or helping a parent who is, may get pitches that sound friendly but are scams in disguise.

Here’s what to listen for before you share your personal information.

Note: This is general information, not insurance advice. Medicare rules, enrollment dates and phone numbers are subject to change, so confirm the current details with Medicare.

1. New Card Calls

A new card call says you need an updated Medicare card, then asks for your Medicare, bank account or credit card number, the Federal Trade Commission says.

Medicare cards are free and arrive in the mail automatically.

A 2018 alert goes further, saying some scammers have even offered plastic versions of the card for a fee.

Medicare’s cards are paper.

If a call like this reaches you, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to check.

Write down the number and the time before you do anything else, so you have both if you decide to report the call.

2. Number Verification Calls

On a number verification call, the caller asks for your Medicare number to verify your identity, according to a 2024 Federal Trade Commission alert.

A legitimate Medicare employee already has your Medicare number on file.

Medicare will never unexpectedly call, email, text or message you on social media to ask for your Medicare, Social Security or bank account numbers.

If you’ve already given a caller your number, check whether the visits, services and products on your statements match your records and receipts.

You can report suspected fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to your state’s Senior Medicare Patrol.

3. December 7 Deadline Pressure

Pressure to enroll immediately is a standard open enrollment scam warning sign, the National Cybersecurity Alliance says.

The FTC’s 2022 alert answers with the calendar.

You have until December 7 to enroll, and Medicare doesn’t offer extra benefits for signing up early.

The 2026 window opens October 15 and closes December 7, which leaves nearly eight weeks to compare plans.

Changes made during it take effect January 1, as long as your plan gets your enrollment request by December 7.

4. Benefit Cutoff Threats

When a caller threatens to cut off your benefits unless you sign up now, the FTC says to ignore the threat.

If you qualify, your benefits can’t be taken away for not signing up for a plan.

Scammers might also use open enrollment to impersonate Medicare agents, and they may sound professional, say they’re from Medicare and have your personal details.

Hang up if anyone calls and asks for your Medicare, Social Security, or bank or credit card information.

5. Preferred Plan Pitches

A preferred plan pitch has the caller claiming Medicare favors their plan, and the FTC says to skip anyone who says that.

Medicare has no favorite plan.

Medicare.gov and State Health Insurance Assistance Programs are the places to check for coverage options.

In Georgia, that program is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which offers free counseling at 1-866-552-4464, option 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Its counselors help with health plan choices and enrollment.

When Medicare Does Call

Medicare.gov says Medicare, or someone representing Medicare, will only call and ask for personal information in limited situations.

Those include an agent or representative returning your call after you’ve joined a plan, reported fraud or left a message for Medicare.

Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at your home. Don’t join a health or drug plan over the phone unless you called and asked for help.

A call you didn’t ask for is the warning sign.

6. Free Back Brace Offers

A free back brace offer or knee brace offer comes with a catch.

The FTC says scammers offer back or knee braces if you provide your Medicare number.

A doctor who thinks you need equipment would talk with you about it at an appointment, not have someone call unexpectedly.

If a brace sounds useful, bring it up at your next appointment.

A November 2024 alert says scammers may claim they need your number for a “medical equipment claim” you don’t remember making.

They want to file fake claims using your Medicare number.

7. Fake Medicare Caller ID Calls

A fake Medicare caller ID call can look official on your screen.

The FTC says caller ID might show Medicare’s name or phone number, but caller ID can be faked.

Don’t trust the name displayed on your phone.

Ignore unexpected calls from anyone who demands you share Medicare, personal or financial information.

Medicare will only ask you to verify information if you contact them first.

Psst! How much do you know about Medicare scam calls? Guess myth or fact, then flip each card to see.

Where to Report

If a scam call reaches you in Georgia, the state’s Senior Medicare Patrol program, hosted by AdviseWell, Inc., is at 1-877-272-8720.

The Georgia program’s email address is ga-smp@advisewell.org.

It refers complaints of potential fraud and abuse to agencies that can step in, including state attorneys general and state Medicaid Fraud Control Units.