I Gave My Medicare Number to a Scammer: What to Do Now

Use this before you call.

Not sure what to do next? Call GetFastRates.com and we will help you find the right number to call.

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), tell them what you shared and ask whether you need a new Medicare number.

If you gave a bank, card or Social Security number, call your bank or card company and ask what protection to put on the account.

Write down what you remember: the number that called, the date and time, what they said and what you gave them.

Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the HHS Office of Inspector General.

Check your Medicare statements and your Medicare.gov account for services you did not receive, and do this every month for a while.

Do not send money to 'fix' it, and ignore anyone who calls offering to recover your losses for a fee.

The first hour

Speed matters most for money. If you gave a card or bank number, call the number on the back of the card or on your bank statement, not a number from the caller, and ask them to stop or watch for charges.

The first week

Call 1-800-MEDICARE and report the contact. For Medicare Advantage or drug plan problems you can also call the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379). Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the HHS Office of Inspector General. If someone is pressuring you or you feel unsafe, tell a family member and local authorities.

Ask 1-800-MEDICARE whether a new Medicare number is appropriate in your case.
Call your Senior Medicare Patrol for help reviewing your records.

Over the next months

Look at every Medicare statement and plan notice as it arrives, and compare it with your appointments and supplies. Check your Medicare.gov account for claims. If you see anything you did not receive, call 1-800-MEDICARE right away.

Keep your notes and any letters in one folder.
Be wary of follow-up calls from 'recovery services' or 'investigators' asking for money or more information.
Think about asking your bank about extra protection on your accounts.

Common questions about this topic

Will I owe money for claims a scammer made?

You should not be responsible for services you never received. Report them right away so they can be reviewed, and keep records of what you did and did not receive.

Should I change my plan or my doctors?

Not because of this alone. The problem is with your number, not with your coverage. Call 1-800-MEDICARE first and ask what they recommend.

Who can help me with this?

1-800-MEDICARE, your local Senior Medicare Patrol, the Federal Trade Commission and the HHS Office of Inspector General all take reports and can guide you.

Related coverage articles

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Tools that can help

Medicare Enrollment Period CalculatorFind your Medicare enrollment window and what it means for your timing.Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty CalculatorEstimate whether a Part B late enrollment penalty could apply to you.Medicare Plan Ending FinderCheck your carrier and ZIP code against current, verified plan-ending records.

Trusted public sources

These links are provided for general public information. They do not replace a personal coverage review.