Millions of Medicare beneficiaries are facing plan changes for 2027 during Medicare Open Enrollment, and scammers may take advantage of the confusion. Consumers are being warned about seven scams and deceptive practices that target people as they review their coverage ahead of the December 7 deadline.
Warning Signs to Watch For
The scams highlighted include several tactics that can affect a person’s current coverage or future enrollment:
- Unauthorized plan switches
- Misleading Medicare Advantage sales tactics
- Fake Medicare websites
- Replacement card scams
- Government impersonators, including callers posing as Social Security representatives
- Fake pharmacy calls
- Plan cancellation scams
- Extra benefits offers used as bait-and-switch tactics
Each of these tactics relies on urgency or confusion about changing plans. Anyone who receives an unexpected call, offer or request to switch coverage should take time to confirm the details before acting.
Protecting Your Medicare Number
Protecting a Medicare number is one of the central steps people can take to limit fraud. The warnings also emphasize verifying information before sharing personal details or making changes to a plan, particularly when the contact comes from someone offering help with coverage.
Reviewing Coverage Before the December 7 Deadline
Open enrollment is the period when many people compare plans and make changes for the coming year. The December 7 deadline is less than four weeks away from November 12, leaving limited time for people to review their options. Because scammers may pose as Medicare representatives or use fake websites, people reviewing their coverage should be careful about where they enter personal information and who they trust to help them.
