Protect Yourself
Protect Your Personal InformationGuard your Medicare and Social Security Numbers. Treat them like you would treat your credit cards. Do not let anyone borrow or pay to use your Medicare ID card or your identity. It’s illegal, and it’s not worth it! | 
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 | Watch Out for These Common Fraud SchemesPeople who approach you in parking lots, shopping centers, or other public areas and offer free services, groceries, transportation, or other items in exchange for your Medicare number. Just walk away! People who call you claiming to be conducting a health survey and ask for your Medicare number. Simply hang up the phone! Telephone marketers who pretend to be from Medicare or Social Security and ask for payment over the phone or Internet. Don’t do it! They may want to steal your money. |
Check Your Medical Bills, Medicare Summary Notices, Explanation Of Benefits, and Credit Reports
| What else can you do about fraud?The SMP Program The SMP Program (formerly called Senior Medicare Patrol) educates and empowers people with Medicare to identify and report health care fraud and resolve errors. There is a SMP Program in every state, the District of Columbia, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. For more information or to find your local SMP Program, visit www.smpresource.org or call 1-877-808-2468. |
- Do be careful in accepting Medicare services that are represented as being free.
- Do be cautious when you are offered free testing or screening in exchange for your Medicare card number.
- Do be cautious of any provider who maintains they have been endorsed by the Federal government or by Medicare.
- Do avoid a provider of health care items or services who tells you that the item or service is not usually covered, but they know how to bill Medicare to get it paid.
Protect yourself from identity theft
Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information without your consent to commit fraud or other crimes. Personal information includes things like your name, Social Security, Medicare, or credit card numbers.
Keep this information safe. Don’t give your information out over the web, or to anyone who comes to your home (or calls you) uninvited. Only give personal information to doctors or other providers approved by Medicare. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you aren’t sure if a provider is approved by Medicare. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. You can always give personal information if you call or contact the following organizations:
- Medicare
- Social Security
- Medicare health or prescription drug plans
- Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Visit www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/ to learn more about identity theft.
If you lose your Medicare card or it’s stolen, or if you need a new Social Security card, visit www.socialsecurity.gov, or call Social Security at 1‑800‑772‑1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, call 1‑877‑772‑5772, or visit www.rrb.gov.
