Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7. It's an important window for reviewing your coverage. It's also one of the busiest times of year for scammers.
Here's the most important thing to know: Medicare will not call you out of the blue to sell you a plan or ask for your Medicare number. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare, that alone is a reason to pause.
Common ways these scams sound
"Your Medicare card is expiring. We need to send you a new one."
"You qualify for extra benefits, but I need to verify your Medicare number."
"You'll lose coverage if you don't switch plans today."
"We're offering a free back brace, genetic test, or medical equipment."
Notice the pressure in every one of those lines. That's on purpose. [Link: Why Scammers Create a Sense of Urgency]
Why the caller ID doesn't settle it
The call might show "Medicare" or a Washington, D.C. number. Scammers can fake what appears on your screen.
What to do instead
Hang up. You don't owe anyone a polite goodbye.
Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information to someone who called you.
If you want to review your plan, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself, or visit Medicare.gov.
Talk to someone you trust before making any changes to your coverage.
It's hard to think clearly when a caller is pushing you. That's why the Does This Feel Off? Scam-Check Workbook gives you questions to walk through in the moment. Keep it next to the phone during open enrollment.
If you already shared your number
Don't panic. Call 1-800-MEDICARE, explain what happened, and watch your Medicare Summary Notices for services you never received.
Real help with Medicare never needs to rush you. If a call feels off, trust that.
Want a calm plan for the next suspicious call? The Scam-Check Workbook is available as a printable download, a spiral-bound edition, or a paperback on Amazon. It also makes a thoughtful gift for a parent reviewing their coverage this fall.
