Have You Received a Call from Medicare? 

Medicare impersonation threat scams are aggressive tactics used by fraudsters to intimidate and exploit beneficiaries, particularly seniors. These scams typically involve threatening calls, emails, or text messages from criminals posing as Medicare officials, using fear and urgency to coerce victims into compliance.

Common variations of these threat-based scams include:

1. Benefit Termination Threat: Scammers threaten to terminate your Medicare benefits unless you provide personal information or make a payment to “correct” an alleged issue with your account.
2. Legal Action Threat: Imposters claim a lawsuit has been filed against you for Medicare fraud and demand immediate payment to avoid court proceedings.
3. Identity Theft Alert: Fraudsters warn that your Medicare number has been compromised in criminal activities and threaten severe consequences unless you verify your information immediately.
4. Coverage Gap Warning: Scammers threaten that your Medicare coverage will lapse, leaving you without healthcare, unless you provide personal information or payment to “renew” your benefits.

Red Flags to Watch For:

1. Unsolicited aggressive contact from “Medicare” via phone, email, or text
2. Threats of immediate benefit suspension or legal action
3. Demands for immediate payment or personal information to avoid penalties
4. Use of intimidation tactics or threats to force quick action
5. Caller ID showing Medicare’s real phone number (which can be spoofed)
6. Pressure to act without allowing time to verify the caller’s identity

Remember, the real Medicare will never:

• Make threatening phone calls about benefit suspension or legal action
• Demand immediate payment or personal information over the phone
• Use high-pressure tactics to force quick decisions
• Threaten to cancel your coverage without allowing you to verify the situation

If you suspect a scam, hang up immediately and contact Medicare directly using their official number (1-800-MEDICARE). Report any suspicious activity to the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or tips.hhs.gov.