How to Protect Your Medicare Number and Avoid Common Scams

Control who receives your information

Share your Medicare number only with trusted health-care providers, insurers, licensed agents or brokers, and authorized people helping with Medicare. Do not provide it to an unexpected caller, email sender, visitor, or text message.

Recognize pressure tactics

Pause when someone promises “free” equipment or genetic testing, pressures you to act immediately, asks you to verify your Medicare number, or threatens cancellation. Caller ID can be spoofed. End the contact and call the verified number on your Medicare card, plan card, or an official government website.

Review claims and statements

Compare Medicare Summary Notices, Explanation of Benefits statements, and provider receipts with your own calendar. Question unfamiliar services, supplies, providers, or dates promptly.

Use secure contact information

When uncertain, end the contact and call the verified number on your Medicare or plan materials. Avoid calling a number supplied in a suspicious message.

Report suspected fraud

Medicare directs beneficiaries to report suspected fraud through 1-800-MEDICARE or its official reporting channels. Keep notes, messages, caller information, and relevant statements.

Use verified Medicare contact information

Review Medicare’s current fraud-reporting guidance. Check Medicare Summary Notices and plan Explanation of Benefits statements for services you did not receive. Report suspicious claims promptly and document names, dates, phone numbers, and what was offered. Never send money or personal information solely because an unsolicited caller demands it.

Educational information only; not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice.

Report and organize suspected fraud

Gala Health can help verify whether a plan-related contact came through an authorized channel and direct suspected fraud to the appropriate reporting resource.