Scam Spotlight: Medicare Card Replacement: Paper vs Plastic

Consumers in Wisconsin have reportedly been contacted by scammers that pretend to be a government agency and claim the consumer’s paper Medicare card is expiring this year. The scammer may also offer to help the consumer upgrade to a new, plastic Medicare card – but this is a ploy to steal their private information.

The scammers are known to have impersonated the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Wisconsin Department of Administration. A common tactic used in Medicare scams is for scammers to “assist” beneficiaries with enrolling, filing paperwork, improving coverage, or finding savings. Consumers should be aware that real government agencies will not contact them by phone to change their Medicare card. Real Medicare cards only need to be replaced if they are lost, damaged, or compromised by a scammer.

Medicare beneficiaries and their assistants should never provide their Medicare number, Social Security number, or other private information to a cold caller. If a consumer is concerned that they may be the target of a Medicare scam, they can verify the offer or claim with Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.