If your phone won't stop ringing with "Medicare" calls, here is the truth: almost none of them are really Medicare. This guide shows you your rights, how to shut the calls down, and how to tell a real agent from a scammer — in plain English you can act on today.
Medicare does not call, text, or email you uninvited to sell a plan, "verify" your information, or ask for payment. It will never ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank or credit card details over the phone. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare and asks for any of that — it is a scam. Hang up. When in doubt, call Medicare yourself at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Here's what most people don't know: federal rules prohibit insurance companies and agents from making unsolicited calls to enroll you in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. A legitimate agent cannot cold-call you about Medicare unless you asked them to contact you or already do business with them. So an out-of-the-blue "Medicare" sales call isn't just annoying — it's a red flag that the caller is breaking the rules. Real help comes from someone you chose to reach out to.
The big ones circulating right now: (1) the "new chip card" call — they say your benefits will be "suspended" unless you confirm your Social Security or Medicare number to "activate" a 2026 card (there is no fee and no activation call). (2) "Free" genetic testing, cancer screening, or DNA kits — these bill Medicare thousands in your name; Medicare only covers tests your own doctor orders. (3) Free braces, knee braces, or supplies you didn't ask for. (4) Anyone pressuring you to "act today" or "keep this confidential." Real Medicare and real agents never pressure you and never need your numbers to call you back.
Add your number free at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. It's permanent — you never have to renew. But know its limit: the registry tells legitimate telemarketers not to call you. It does not stop scammers, who ignore it. So registering quiets the lawful junk calls; the next steps handle the rest.
Your best defense against scam calls is your phone's own call-blocking:
iPhone: Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers → toggle on. Calls from numbers not in your contacts go straight to voicemail; your real contacts, doctors, and pharmacy still ring through.
Android: open the Phone app → three-dot menu → Settings → Blocked numbers → turn on Block unknown/unidentified callers.
Also turn on your carrier's free spam-labeling app (Verizon Call Filter, AT&T ActiveArmor, T-Mobile Scam Shield) so suspected spam is flagged before you answer.
If you pick up and something feels off: don't confirm anything. You don't owe a stranger your name, your Medicare number, or a "yes." Scammers record "yes" and use pressure. The safe script is simple: "I don't take Medicare business over unsolicited calls. Goodbye." Then hang up. You are never being rude by protecting yourself — and you can always call 1-800-MEDICARE directly if you're unsure whether something was real.
A good, licensed agent looks nothing like a scam call. Here's what a legitimate one does: (1) you contacted them (a referral, their website, a community event) — they didn't ambush you; (2) before discussing any plan they collect a Scope of Appointment form noting what you agreed to talk about; (3) they're licensed in your state and will tell you their name and National Producer Number; (4) they never pressure you to decide today and never ask for your bank login or full Social Security number just to "enroll"; (5) they're happy for you to take your time and check them out. If a caller fails any of these — walk away.
Report scam calls and suspected fraud — it protects you and others:
• Medicare fraud: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or Medicare.gov.
• Your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP): 1-877-808-2468 — free, trained counselors who help seniors specifically.
• Lost money or a phone scam: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Unwanted sales calls: donotcall.gov.
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New here? Start for $7.49 →No. The registry stops calls from legitimate telemarketers who follow the law, but scammers ignore it. To stop scam calls, turn on Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone) or Block unknown callers (Android) and your carrier's spam filter.
No. Medicare does not call, text, or email you out of the blue to sell a plan or ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or payment. If someone does, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself.
No. Federal rules prohibit unsolicited calls to enroll you in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. A real agent can only contact you if you asked them to or already work with them — an unsolicited Medicare sales call is a red flag.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), your local Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-877-808-2468, or report online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For unwanted sales calls, use donotcall.gov.
No. There is no fee and no phone call needed to get a Medicare card. Calls saying your benefits will be suspended unless you 'activate' a new chip card and confirm your number are a scam.
Figures on this page are verified against U.S. government primary sources: