Medicare 2026

Riverside Medicare fraud: the 3 calls to hang up on

In Riverside, phone scams targeting Medicare beneficiaries have become a steady drumbeat — and the criminals behind them are after one thing above all: your Medicare number. That 11-character code on your red, white, and blue card is the master key to your Medicare benefits, and once it is out, it can be misused to bill Medicare for services you never got.

The good news is that spotting the pitch is often as simple as recognizing the script. Here is what to guard, why it matters, and what to do if something feels off.

Why your Medicare number is a target

Since 2018, Medicare cards have used a random Medicare Beneficiary Identifier instead of your Social Security number. That was a big step forward, but scammers adapted. Your Medicare number can still be used to file fake claims for equipment, tests, or services — sometimes for months before anyone notices. That is why Medicare officials and the federal Senior Medicare Patrol program tell people to treat the number like cash or a credit card.

The three calls to hang up on

Fraud complaints tend to cluster around a few familiar pitches. If a call sounds like any of these, hang up:

1. "We need to verify your Medicare number for your new card." Medicare is not issuing new cards, and it will not call to confirm the number it already has. If your card is lost, you request a replacement — not the other way around.

2. "You qualify for a free brace, DNA test, or medical device." Offers of free equipment or cheek-swab genetic tests in exchange for your Medicare number are among the most common schemes reported to SMPs nationwide. If a doctor you have never seen is willing to order something sight unseen, that is the red flag.

3. "Your benefits will be canceled unless you act now." Medicare does not cancel coverage over the phone, and it does not demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any urgency is the tell.

What to share, and with whom

You can safely give your Medicare number to your doctor's office, your pharmacist, your hospital, and insurers that provide your Medicare coverage. Be cautious with anyone who contacts you first — especially at health fairs, on social media, or through unsolicited texts. Legitimate providers already have your information on file or will collect it in person.

Check your statements like a bank account

Even careful people can have their number stolen. That is why one of the strongest defenses is a boring one: read your paperwork. If you have Original Medicare, look at the Medicare Summary Notice that arrives every three months. If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, review your Explanation of Benefits. You can also log in at Medicare.gov anytime to see claims as they post.

Look for services you did not receive, duplicate charges, or providers you do not recognize. Catching a problem early makes it far easier to resolve.

Riverside-area help is available

Riverside is in Riverside County, where beneficiaries have access to a range of Medicare Advantage and Part D options during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 7, and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 through March 31. Those windows also tend to draw more scam calls, so this is a good time to be extra cautious about who is asking for your information.

For personalized, unbiased help, California's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — known locally as HICAP — offers free one-on-one counseling. The California Senior Medicare Patrol trains volunteers specifically to help people spot, report, and recover from Medicare fraud.

A quick word on 2027 changes

Scammers often use real Medicare news as bait. In 2026, Part D has a $2,100 out-of-pocket cap and a maximum deductible of $615, the coverage gap is gone (as it has been since 2025), and the optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year. IRMAA surcharges for higher-income beneficiaries begin above $109,000 for a single filer. These are real. But no legitimate caller will ask for your Medicare number to "apply" the new cap or "enroll" you in the payment plan — you talk to your plan or Medicare directly for that.