How to Spot a Medicare Open Enrollment Scam Call

Every fall, phones across the country start ringing with calls about Medicare. Some of those calls are real. A lot of them are not — and scammers know that the weeks between October 15 and December 7, when Medicare's open enrollment period runs, are the easiest time of year to catch people off guard.

If you've gotten more calls than usual lately about "new Medicare benefits" or a "free upgraded card," you're not imagining it. This is one of the busiest seasons for Medicare scams, and the callers can sound confident and official. Here's how to tell a real Medicare contact from a scam, and what to do either way.

Why scammers target Medicare open enrollment

During open enrollment, you're allowed to switch your Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan for the coming year. Real insurance agents do call and mail information during this window, which gives scammers cover — a call about "your Medicare plan" doesn't sound out of place the way it might in March.

Scammers use that timing to pose as Medicare, an insurance company, or a government office, hoping you'll let your guard down because so many calls are landing in your mailbox and on your phone right now anyway.

Some people report getting a dozen or more of these calls in a single day during this stretch. Real plans do compete for your business this time of year, which is exactly why it's hard to tell a pushy-but-real sales call apart from an outright scam. The good news is the warning signs below hold up no matter which one you're dealing with.

Signs a Medicare call is a scam

A few patterns show up again and again:

• They ask you to "confirm" your Medicare number. Medicare already has your number. It will not call, text, or email asking you to read it back or confirm it.
• They offer you a new or upgraded Medicare card. There is no such thing as an upgraded card. This is one of the most common hooks used right now.
• They offer something free — genetic testing, a back brace, a knee brace, or other medical equipment — in exchange for your Medicare number. Legitimate equipment comes from your own doctor, not a cold call.
• They won't say who they're with. A real agent or company will clearly name itself. If a caller dodges the question, that's a signal to hang up.
• They pressure you to decide immediately or say your benefits will be cancelled if you don't act today. Real Medicare decisions are never that urgent.
• They ask for payment or bank information to "verify" you or to lock in a plan over the phone.
• Someone shows up at your door uninvited to talk about your Medicare plan. Legitimate agents don't make surprise house calls.

Scammers have also been sending texts and emails about a "Medicare benefits kit" or a "MyChart Medicare kit" that asks you to click a link and enter personal information. Treat an unexpected text or email about Medicare the same way you'd treat an unexpected call: don't click, don't reply, and don't give out information.

What a real Medicare contact looks like

Real Medicare doesn't cold-call you asking you to confirm your number or threatening to cancel your coverage. If you're genuinely considering a plan change, you reach out first — by calling your current plan, a licensed agent you already know, or Medicare directly — rather than acting on an unexpected call.

The one number worth saving is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). You can call it to ask questions about your own coverage, check whether a plan or caller is legitimate, or report a call that felt off. It's free, and it's staffed by real people, not a sales line.

It's worth saving that number in your phone right now, before you need it. In the middle of a confusing call is the hardest time to go looking for it.

What to do if you're not sure

If a call, text, or email about Medicare catches you off guard:

1. Don't give out your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information — not to confirm, not to "verify," and not to receive something free.
2. Hang up or don't reply, even if the caller sounds friendly or official.
3. Call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself using that number, not one the caller gave you, to ask whether the contact was legitimate.
4. Talk to someone you trust before making any change to your plan, especially if you felt rushed.

What to do if you already shared information

If you already gave out your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details, don't be embarrassed — these calls are designed to sound convincing, and it happens to careful people. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it and ask what to watch for on your account. If you have a bank or credit card account, it's also worth calling them directly to flag what happened. If the same contact also got you to click a link or install something on your computer, we can help in your home or remotely to check the computer over and help you feel steady again. Call (916) 521-0065.

A calmer way to handle the whole season

You don't have to sort out every call, text, and pop-up on your own. If you want quiet protection on your Windows or Mac computer — with a real Porchswing person to call — learn about PorchswingProtect. Or call us at (916) 521-0065 and we'll help you set it up.

Common questions

Will Medicare ever call me first?

Medicare itself does not make unsolicited calls asking you to confirm your number or push you into a plan change. If you didn't request the call, treat it with caution.

Is it safe to give my Medicare number to an insurance agent?

Only to an agent or company you contacted first, or one you already know and trust. Never read your number to someone who called you out of the blue.

What if I can't tell whether a caller is legitimate?

Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself. A real agent or plan will not mind you double-checking before you share anything.