Who's Really on the Other End of That Medicare Call?

Published: September 1, 2026 | Last updated: October 22, 2026

How to Spot Medicare Scam Calls and Grandparent Scams

In short: Medicare will not call you to verify your Medicare number, say your card is expiring, or offer free gifts. Hang up on anyone who calls you first and asks for your Medicare, Social Security, or bank information, or who pressures you to act right away. In a grandparent scam, a caller pretends to be a grandchild in trouble and asks for secret payment by gift card, wire, or cash. Always hang up and call your family or agent at a number you already know.

Scam calls aimed at people with Medicare have risen sharply, and the Better Business Bureau lists them among beneficiaries' top concerns. Some people get a dozen or more of these calls in a single day. At Lourie Life & Health, we want to help you recognize them and protect yourself.

What Are the Most Common Medicare Scam Calls?

1. "You qualify for extra benefits." A recorded message offers to help you collect unclaimed Medicare benefits. It asks whether you have Part A and Part B, then transfers you to a live person. The goal is to collect your personal information or enroll you in a plan you didn't ask for.

2. "Your card is expiring." The caller claims your Medicare card is about to expire or your coverage will lapse unless you verify your details. Medicare cards don't expire like credit cards, and Medicare doesn't call to verify them.

3. "Something free is on the way." The caller offers free knee braces, hearing aids, gift cards, or phones. The gift is bait. In one case, a woman received braces she never ordered, and Medicare was billed more than $700. Fraudulent claims can also put incorrect diagnoses in your medical records.

How Can I Tell If a Medicare Agent Is Real?

Scammers may pose as licensed agents, name well-known insurance companies, or offer to walk you through plans. A real agent will not:

• Pressure you to decide on the first call
• Refuse to give their full name, license number, or office phone number
• Ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or payment app
• Say you must act today or lose your coverage
• Show up at your home uninvited to sell a plan

To check an agent, ask for their name and license number. Then hang up and call the agency's main number, which you look up yourself. You can also check the agent's license with the South Carolina Department of Insurance.

What Is the Grandparent Scam?

The FCC has warned about the grandparent scam. A caller pretends to be a grandchild or other relative who is in jail or the hospital and needs money right away. They may hand the phone to a fake lawyer or police officer, and they often ask you to keep it a secret. According to the FCC, these scams have taken tens of millions of dollars from seniors.

Watch for these warning signs:

• Pressure to act immediately
• A vague opening like "Grandma, it's me"
• A story you can't verify, such as being jailed overseas
• Requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or cash sent by courier
• Calls late at night or early in the morning

How Can I Protect Myself from Scam Calls?

• Be skeptical of any unexpected call about Medicare, even a friendly one.
• Never share your Medicare, Social Security, or bank details with someone who called you.
• Remember that Medicare usually contacts you by mail first.
• Hang up and call your family or agent at a number you already know. Don't trust caller ID, because scammers can fake it.
• Review your Medicare Summary Notices and Explanation of Benefits for charges you don't recognize.
• Be extra careful in the fall, when real plan mailers and calls make scams harder to spot.

What Should I Do If I Shared Information or Sent Money?

1. Stay calm. Cautious people get fooled, too.
2. Write down what you shared and when.
3. If you sent money, call your bank or payment service right away.
4. Report it to 1-800-MEDICARE, the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). You can also file a report with the FBI at ic3.gov and your local police.
5. Tell your family so they can help protect you and others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare ever call you?

Medicare usually contacts you by mail. It won't call to ask for your Medicare number, bank details, or to say your card is expiring.

Do Medicare cards expire?

No. Your Medicare card does not expire.

How do I report a Medicare scam?

Call 1-800-MEDICARE or report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

What should I do if a caller says my grandchild is in trouble?

Hang up and call your grandchild or their parent at a number you know. Real emergencies don't involve secret demands or gift card payments.

How can I check if an insurance agent is licensed in South Carolina?

Ask for their license number, then check it with the South Carolina Department of Insurance.

Does it cost anything to ask Lourie Life & Health about a suspicious call?

No. Our guidance is at no cost to you.

A Trusted Local Agent Makes It Easier

When you have a licensed local agent you know, it's easier to ignore suspicious calls. You can always call us directly before you respond to any offer. At Lourie Life & Health, we're more than your local agency. We're your advocate.

Want to understand your Medicare options so you're harder to fool? Download our free Medicare Guidebook.

Got a suspicious call? Contact us: Columbia (803) 256-2067 · Greenville (864) 551-2300 · Myrtle Beach (843) 800-1195