Scammers use health insurance and Medicare because the paperwork is confusing and the deadlines feel urgent. This page puts our scam and privacy guides in the order most people need them. Start at the top, or jump to the section that matches the message you just received.
One rule covers most cases: do not give your Medicare number, insurance member ID or Social Security number to anyone who contacted you first. Hang up, then call the number printed on your own card.
1. Is this message real?
- Quiz: Real or Scam? 15 Calls, Texts and Letters About Your Health Coverage
- The 60-Second Rule That Stops Health Insurance Scammers in Their Tracks
- Is That Insurance Text Real? A 30-Second Checklist
- The Insurance Email Looks 100% Real. These 7 Details Give It Away
- Before You Enter Your Health Insurance Login, Check These 7 Signs
- Before You Scan That Healthcare QR Code, Check These 6 Things
2. Phone calls and enrollment-season scams
- They Know Your Health Insurance. Should You Trust Them?
- Your Medicare Card Isn’t Something a Stranger Needs to “Verify”
- Fake Health Insurance Call Centers: How They Scam Consumers During Enrollment
- Phishing Texts That Claim Your “Prescription Is Ready for Pickup”
3. “Free” offers to refuse
- Why Are Strangers Offering You “Free” Health Tests?
- Genetic Testing Scams: How Criminals Exploit Seniors Under the Guise of Medicare
- The “Free” Back Brace Scheme: How Telemarketers Bilk Millions From Taxpayers
4. Suspicious bills and medical identity theft
- You Got a Medical Bill. But Who Actually Sent It?
- A Medical Bill Arrived for Something You Never Remember Getting. Don’t Ignore It.
- Medical Identity Theft: 9 Warning Signs and How to Protect Yourself
- Medical Identity Theft: What to Do When Someone Else Uses Your Insurance Card
- How to Read and Audit Your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) for Fraud
5. Your health data and privacy
- HIPAA Rights Explained: What Patient Data Is Protected (And What Isn’t)
- How Stolen Medical Records Are Traded on the Dark Web (And How to Protect Yours)
Where to report a scam
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov: report scam calls, texts and emails to the Federal Trade Commission.
- IdentityTheft.gov: a step-by-step recovery plan if your information was used.
- Medicare fraud: call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or the HHS Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).
- Senior Medicare Patrol: free local help reviewing suspicious Medicare charges.
The Health Advocate is a privately owned website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare, HealthCare.gov or any government agency. This page is general educational information, not legal advice. If you believe you are the victim of fraud or identity theft, contact the agencies above and your health plan directly.