Guides · Medicare
How to Avoid Scams During Medicare Open Enrollment
By TrustCaptain
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026, and it is the busiest time of year for Medicare scammers. The rule that stops most of them is simple: Medicare will never call you to sell you anything, and it will never show up at your door.
During these seven weeks, millions of people review their coverage for 2027. TV ads, mailers and phone calls from real insurers are everywhere. Scammers hide in that noise. They know people are already expecting calls about Medicare, worried about deadlines, and unsure which plan is right.
This year the FTC added a new warning. Scammers are paying to place ads at the top of search results, leading to websites built to look like official government pages. So even searching for "Medicare" on Google is not as safe as it used to be.
What scammers usually want is your Medicare number. With it, they can bill Medicare for services you never got, switch you into a plan you did not choose, or sell your details to other scammers. That can cause real problems with your care, not just your wallet.
The 7 most common Medicare open enrollment scams
Most Medicare scams follow one of these scripts. Once you know them, they are easy to spot.
1. Fake Medicare websites at the top of search results
You search for "Medicare plans" and click the first result. It looks official, with the right logo and colors, but it is a paid ad leading to a site that collects your details. The FTC is warning about this one specifically this year. Real Medicare sites end in .gov.
2. The "official Medicare agent" call
Someone calls saying they are from Medicare and want to help you pick a better plan. There is no such job. Medicare does not have sales representatives, and anyone calling themselves an "official Medicare agent" is lying.
3. "Your Medicare card is expiring" or "we're sending you a new card"
The caller says you need a new card and asks you to "confirm" your Medicare number first. AARP's Fraud Watch Network is already hearing about this one this season. Your card does not expire, and Medicare already has your number.
4. "Join this drug plan or lose your coverage"
The caller says you must sign up for their prescription drug plan (Part D) or you will lose Medicare. This is false. Part D is voluntary and has nothing to do with keeping the rest of your coverage.
5. Free gifts, gift cards or medical equipment
You are offered a free back brace, knee brace, genetic test, glucose monitor or gift card. All you have to do is give your Medicare number. The scammer then bills Medicare for things you never needed, sometimes thousands of dollars' worth, in your name.
6. High-pressure plan switching
This one is sometimes run by real but dishonest salespeople. They rush you, promise extra benefits that do not exist, or enroll you in a new plan without clear permission. A surprise switch can mean your doctors are suddenly out of network or your prescriptions cost more.
7. Texts and emails with links
A message says there is a problem with your Medicare benefits, a refund is waiting, or you need to update your information. The link leads to a fake login page. Medicare does not text, email or message you on social media asking for your Medicare number.
Red flags: hang up if you hear any of these
If a call, text, email or visit includes any of the following, treat it as a scam until you have checked it yourself.
They contacted you first. Medicare does not cold call. The only calls you should expect are from a plan you already belong to, the agent who helped you join it, or 1-800-MEDICARE returning a call you made.
They ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number or bank details. Medicare already has your number. You can compare plans without giving it to anyone.
They say you will lose coverage unless you act today or join their plan.
They rush you. Real plan decisions can wait until December 7. Pressure to decide on this call is a warning sign on its own.
They offer something free in exchange for your Medicare number.
They show up at your home claiming to be from Medicare. Medicare never visits.
The website does not end in .gov but looks like a government site.
They ask you to pay with a gift card, wire transfer, crypto or a payment app.
Your caller ID says "Medicare." Scammers can fake caller ID, so a familiar name on the screen proves nothing.
How to shop for a plan safely
The safest way to review your options is to start the contact yourself, using a number or website you looked up on your own.
Type Medicare.gov directly into your browser. Do not click search ads. Paid results are marked with a small "Ad" or "Sponsored" label, so scroll past them.
Use the official Plan Finder on Medicare.gov to compare plans in your area. You do not need to enter your Medicare number to browse.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you have questions. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Get free, unbiased help from your local SHIP. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program offers one-on-one counseling and does not sell plans. Find yours at shiphelp.org or call 1-877-839-2675.
If you work with an agent, check them out first. Ask for their name and license number, then confirm the license with your state's insurance department. A good agent will not mind.
Never sign anything on the spot. Ask for the plan details in writing, take them home, and compare them against Medicare.gov.
Check your mail in January. If you did not change plans but get a new plan ID card or welcome letter, call 1-800-MEDICARE right away. You may have been switched without your permission.
One more habit worth starting: create a secure account at Medicare.gov. It lets you see your Original Medicare claims as soon as they are processed, so you can spot charges for services you never received.
What to do if you think you've been scammed
If you gave your Medicare number, Social Security number or bank details to someone you now doubt, act today. You will never be in trouble for reporting a scam, even if you are not sure.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Tell them what happened and ask them to watch your account for suspicious claims.
Contact the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-877-808-2468. SMP is a free, government-funded program that helps people check their bills, report fraud and fix enrollment problems.
Call your bank or card company if you shared payment details or paid anything. Ask them to block the card and reverse the charge if possible.
Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357.
If you shared your Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan, and consider freezing your credit with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Watch your Medicare Summary Notices and plan statements for the next few months. Look for doctors, equipment or tests you do not recognize.
Change any passwords you shared, and on every site where you reuse them.
Helping a parent or relative
Many Medicare scams target people who live alone or are not comfortable checking things online. A 10-minute conversation before December 7 can stop the most common ones.
Agree on one rule: "If anyone calls about Medicare, hang up and call me or 1-800-MEDICARE." A short, simple rule is easier to remember under pressure than a list of tips.
Put the real numbers by the phone. Write 1-800-MEDICARE and the SMP number (1-877-808-2468) on a card and keep it near the phone or on the fridge.
Talk about the free-gift offers. Braces, test kits and gift cards are the hook people fall for most, because they sound harmless.
Offer to compare plans together on Medicare.gov, or book a free SHIP appointment for them.
Keep the conversation shame-free. People who feel embarrassed often hide a scam instead of reporting it, which gives scammers more time.
Check their statements with them once or twice a year, looking for services they did not receive.
Frequently asked questions
When is Medicare Open Enrollment in 2026? October 15 to December 7, 2026. Changes you make take effect January 1, 2027.
Does Medicare ever call you? Only in limited cases: a plan you already belong to, the agent who helped you join, a 1-800-MEDICARE representative returning your call, or a follow-up on a fraud report you filed. Medicare will never call to sell you a plan.
Can I compare plans without giving out my Medicare number? Yes. You can browse and compare plans on Medicare.gov without entering it.
Do I need a new Medicare card? No. Your card does not expire, and Medicare will not call asking you to confirm your number before sending a new one. Any call saying otherwise is a scam.
Is Part D required? No. Prescription drug coverage (Part D) is voluntary. Nobody can take away your Medicare because you did not join their drug plan.
How do I know if a Medicare website is real? The official site is Medicare.gov. Type it in yourself rather than clicking an ad. Government sites end in .gov.
What if I already gave my Medicare number to a caller? Call 1-800-MEDICARE and the Senior Medicare Patrol (1-877-808-2468) right away, then keep a close eye on your statements for charges you do not recognize.