Double Check
Is the Medicare call about free benefits a scam?
This is a scam
A typical version of this message
Good morning! I'm calling from Medicare benefits services. Because of recent changes, you qualify for additional benefits at no cost — a grocery allowance, free transportation, and a new plastic Medicare card. I just need to verify your Medicare number and your date of birth so we can activate them before the enrollment window closes.
Why it is a Medicare scam
Yes. Medicare does not call people to offer benefits, and no one legitimate needs to 'verify' the Medicare number they supposedly already have on file. A Medicare number is worth real money: it gets used to bill the government for equipment and services you never receive, which can poison your medical record and exhaust benefits you may need later. 'Grocery allowance' and 'free card' calls spike every enrollment season.
What to do
Hang up without confirming anything — not even your date of birth. Treat your Medicare number like a credit card number. Questions about your actual benefits go to 1-800-MEDICARE or medicare.gov, where real changes would be visible. Check your quarterly Medicare summary for services you don't recognize, and report suspicious billing there.