Medicare Scams 2026 are increasing during Medicare Open Enrollment 2026. Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15 and ends December 7. Scammers target seniors and steal $170.
But are you safe from Medicare Scams 2026? In this guide, you will learn 3 new Medicare Scams 2026 and how to protect your card.
- What is Medicare Open Enrollment 2026?
- Scam #1 – The 0 Medicare Refund Call
- Scam #2 – Free Medical Equipment Offer
- Scam #3 – New Plastic Medicare Card With Chip
- 5 Steps to Protect Your Medicare Card
- What To Do If You Shared Number?
- How to Get Real Help During Open Enrollment?
- FAQ – Common Questions from Seniors
What is Medicare Open Enrollment 2026?
Open Enrollment is also called AEP.
AEP means Annual Enrollment Period.
It happens every year in the USA.
For 2026, it is Oct 15 to Dec 7.
What can you do during this time?
First, you can change from Original Medicare to Advantage.
Second, you can go back to Original Medicare from Advantage.
Third, you can change your Advantage plan to a new one.
Fourth, you can join a Part D drug plan.
Fifth, you can change or drop your Part D plan.
Finally, you can check if your drugs are still covered.
Why is this important?
Because plans change every year.
Costs change too.
Your health needs also change.
So you should review your plan every year.
Where to get real help?
First, go to Medicare.gov.
It is the official website.
Use the Plan Compare tool there.
Second, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
That number is 1-800-633-4227.
This call is free.
You can call 24 hours a day.
Third, you can get free counselor help.
They are called SHIP counselors.
Find them at shiphelp.org.
They help for free in every state.
Golden Rule: Medicare never calls you first.
If someone says I am from Medicare on phone, it is a scam.
You should hang up right away.
Scam #1 – The 0 Medicare Refund Call
This is the number one scam in 2026.
It is the most dangerous scam for seniors.
FTC says 40% of scam calls use this trick.
Why $170? Because Part B is $185 in 2026.
So $170 sounds real to seniors.
How does the scam work?
You get a phone call at home.
It can be on landline or mobile.
The person says, Hello, I am from Medicare.
They say, You overpaid $170 last month.
They say, We want to refund your money.
Then they ask for your Medicare number.
They also ask for your bank account number.
They say, We will send $170 to your bank today.
They sound very professional.
They know your full name.
They know your address.
They know your birth date too.
So many seniors believe them.
What is the truth behind this?
Medicare never calls for a refund.
Never.
This is always a scam.
If Medicare owes you money, you get a letter.
The letter comes by US mail.
It comes from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Medicare never asks for bank on phone.
Medicare never asks for Medicare number on phone.
They already have your number in system.
What happens if you share your number?
Scammers use your number to bill Medicare.
They bill fake charges.
Charges can be $500 to $2,000.
You see them on your Medicare Summary Notice.
MSN means Medicare Summary Notice.
Charges are for braces or tests you never got.
Scammers also try to take money from your bank.
They may sell your number on dark web.
Other criminals may use it too.
How to stay safe from Scam #1?
First, hang up the phone right away.
Second, do not press any number.
Third, do not say yes.
Scammers may record your yes voice.
Fourth, block the phone number.
On iPhone, tap Recents, then i, then Block.
On Android, use Google Call Screen.
On landline, dial *61 to block last call.
If you already gave your number, act fast.
First, call 1-800-MEDICARE now.
Say My Medicare number was stolen.
They will give you a new number for free.
Second, call your bank too.
Tell them it was fraud.
Third, check your bank statement daily.
Scam #2 – Free Medical Equipment Offer
This scam is very common in USA.
It is big in Florida, Texas, California, New York.
Scammers use phone calls.
They also use Facebook ads.
How does this scam work?
You get a phone call or see an ad.
Ad says FREE knee brace approved.
Or FREE back brace for Medicare users.
Or FREE glucose monitor and strips.
It says 100% free, no cost to you.
It says Medicare pays 100%.
It says Just give Medicare number for shipping.
It says Worth $500 to $2,000, free for you.
It says Limited time, act now.
What is the truth?
Nothing is free in this scam.
Scammers get your Medicare number.
Then they bill Medicare $2,000.
But brace costs only $50 on Amazon.
Brace is low quality.
It may not fit you.
Sometimes you get nothing in mail.
But Medicare is still billed.
That is Medicare fraud.
FDA and Medicare say this is scam.
Medicare never offers free equipment by phone.
Your doctor must order equipment.
Not a phone call.
Not a Facebook ad.
How to stay safe from Scam #2?
First, say no to free offers on phone.
Second, talk to your real primary doctor.
Your doctor will check your knee or back.
Then doctor orders from approved supplier.
Third, check your Medicare Summary Notice.
Check it every month at Medicare.gov.
Look for Durable Medical Equipment charges.
DME means Durable Medical Equipment.
If you see charge you did not get, report it.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report fraud.
Scam #3 – New Plastic Medicare Card With Chip
This is the newest scam in 2026.
FTC says it grew 300% this year.
Many seniors fall for it.
Why? Because bank cards have chips now.
So seniors think Medicare cards also need chip.
How does it work?
You get a call, text, or email.
Message says Your paper card is expired.
It says Medicare now gives plastic chip cards.
Like credit card or bank card.
It says Your old card will not work after this month.
It says Pay $15 for shipping.
It says Get new card in 3 days.
It says Or your Medicare will stop.
They ask for $15 by credit card or gift card.
They also ask for your Medicare number.
They say Need to confirm old card.
What is the truth?
This is 100% fake.
Your Medicare card is paper.
It is free.
It never expires.
It is valid for your whole life.
Medicare never gives plastic chip card.
Medicare never asks you to pay for card.
Medicare never emails about card.
Medicare never texts about card.
All card info comes by regular mail only.
Mail comes from official Medicare address.
If someone asks $15, it is always scam.
How to stay safe from Scam #3?
First, keep your paper card safe.
It is valid for life.
Second, do not pay for any new card.
Third, do not give credit card for $15 shipping.
Fourth, do not click link in email.
Delete the email right away.
Real Medicare email is only from @medicare.gov.
Or from @cms.hhs.gov.
If you are not sure, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Ask Do I need a new card?
Answer is always No.
5 Steps to Protect Your Medicare Card
Your Medicare number is very important.
It is like Social Security number.
You must protect it like credit card.
Step 1: Never share number on phone.
If someone asks for number on phone, hang up.
Medicare never asks for number on phone.
Only share with doctor when you visit in person.
Step 2: Check MSN monthly.
MSN is Medicare Summary Notice.
Go to Medicare.gov and create account.
Login every month.
Check all charges.
If you see charge you do not know, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Checking takes 5 minutes.
But it saves thousands of dollars.
Step 3: Save real Medicare number.
Save as REAL MEDICARE in phone.
Number is 1-800-633-4227.
If you get suspicious call, hang up.
Then call real number to check.
Real Medicare workers are very helpful.
They are patient with seniors.
Step 4: Report scam to FTC.
If you get scam call, report it.
Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
It takes only 3 minutes.
Reporting helps stop scammers.
It protects other seniors too.
You can also call AARP Fraud Watch.
Number is 877-908-3360.
They help seniors for free.
Step 5: Use call blocking.
Block scam calls on your phone.
For landline, dial *61 to block last call.
For iPhone, go to Recents, tap i, then Block.
For Android, use Google Call Screen.
T-Mobile has Scam Shield for free.
AT&T has ActiveArmor for free.
Ask family to turn it on for you.
What To Do If You Shared Number?
Do not panic.
You can fix it today.
First, call 1-800-MEDICARE right away.
Number is 1-800-633-4227.
Say My Medicare number was stolen.
They will give new number for free.
They will send new paper card by mail.
Second, call Social Security.
Number is 1-800-772-1213.
Tell them you had Medicare scam.
Third, check your bank statement.
Check every day for 2 months.
Look for $15 or $170 charges.
If you paid scammers, call bank.
Say it was fraud.
Get a new card from bank.
Fourth, freeze your credit for free.
Do it at Equifax, Experian, TransUnion.
This stops scammers from opening new cards.
Finally, tell your family and doctor.
Tell doctor office number was stolen.
They can watch for fraud too.
How to Get Real Help During Open Enrollment?
Do not trust random phone calls.
Only use official and free help.
First, use Medicare.gov official site.
Use Plan Compare tool there.
It shows all plans in your area.
Second, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
You can call 24 hours a day.
Free interpreter is available too.
Third, find SHIP counselor.
SHIP is State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
They are free counselors in every state.
Find them at shiphelp.org.
They give 100% free and unbiased help.
They do not sell anything.
Fourth, call Eldercare Locator.
Number is 1-800-677-1116.
They find help near you for free.
Remember, real Medicare help is always free.
Never pay anyone to choose a plan.
For real help, visit official sites:
Medicare.gov Official,
FTC.gov Report Fraud,
SSA.gov Social Security
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