Medicare Fraud and Scam Protection

Fraud against seniors is an industry with scripts, quotas and call centers. These free tools help you spot it, stop it and report it. Nothing you enter on these pages is stored or sent anywhere.

Start here

Am I being scammed?Answer a few yes or no questions about a call, text, letter or package and get clear next steps.Open Scam defense emulatorPractice on a virtual phone: see it, hear it, and tap the right moves. Fake Medicare calls, scam texts, and the Do Not Call Registry.Open How the fraud machine worksThe schemes that matter most, the nursing home plan switch, and the checks that expose them.Open The Medicare food card: real benefit vs scamHow real grocery benefits work, and why a card that needs a fee or your Medicare number is fake.Open

The four signs of a scam

The Federal Trade Commission teaches four warning signs. One is enough to stop and check.

They pretend to be someone you know: Medicare, Social Security, the government, your bank, or a familiar company. Caller ID can be faked.
They say there is a problem or a prize: trouble with your benefits, money you owe, or something free you have won or qualify for.
They pressure you to act now: do not hang up, do not tell anyone, decide today.
They tell you how to pay: gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, cryptocurrency, or cash picked up at your door.

From the press briefings

When federal agencies announce major fraud cases, they publish the press release, the briefing video or remarks, and the case documents. Here are the official sources, so you can read them yourself. Charges are allegations; every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown (June 23, 2026)

The Justice Department charged 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, in schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in alleged false claims, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units taking part.

2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown (June 30, 2025)

At the briefing, the Justice Department's Criminal Division, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and the HHS Inspector General's office announced charges against 324 defendants in schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss. Prosecutors said some defendants used artificial intelligence to make fake recordings of Medicare beneficiaries "agreeing" to products. Dr. Oz asked the public to report suspected fraud.

What it means for you: never say "yes" to a product, test or supply on an unexpected call, and check your Medicare statements for anything you did not get.

Scam Center Strike Force (U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia)

Launched in November 2025 to go after overseas scam compounds. At an October 27, 2026 news conference in Washington, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro reported the Strike Force had restrained more than $1 billion in cryptocurrency tied to scams and seized 700 fraudulent crypto investment websites. The case documents include real scammer messages and a scam script.

What it means for you: an online "investment" or new friend who steers you toward cryptocurrency is a red flag. Stop and talk to someone you trust.

Where to report

Medicare fraud or a plan change you did not request: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048). Ask for a possible invalid enrollment to be logged.
Medicare or health care fraud: HHS Office of Inspector General hotline, 1-800-447-8477.
Other scams and imposters: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Someone used your personal information: IdentityTheft.gov.
Unwanted sales calls after 31 days on the Registry: DoNotCall.gov.

Not sure? We will check it with you

Got a letter, a call or a box you do not recognize? Call a licensed agent at 1-866-340-3441 (TTY 711). We will walk through your Medicare.gov record with you, free, whether or not you are our client.

Report Medicare fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048) or the HHS Office of Inspector General hotline, 1-800-447-8477. Report other scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Prepared by Senior Benefit Assistance from Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice and HHS Office of Inspector General public guidance. Updated November 7, 2026. Questions? Call a licensed agent at 1-866-340-3441 (TTY 711).