Medicare 2026

Before You Answer That Call: Medicare Scam Playbook for Plantation

PLANTATION, Fla. — As the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, phones across Broward County are ringing more than usual. Some of those calls are legitimate. Many are not. Scammers know this is the one time of year when older adults are actively thinking about their coverage — and they use that window to pressure people into handing over personal information they should never share.

If you live in Plantation, here is what to watch for this season, and what to do the moment something feels off.

Why enrollment season is prime time for scams

Between mid-October and early December, Medicare beneficiaries get flooded with mailers, TV ads, and phone calls about coverage changes for the coming year. Scammers hide inside that noise. They pretend to be from "Medicare," a well-known insurance company, or even a government "benefits update" office. The goal is almost always the same: get your Medicare number, your bank information, or both.

The 2027 plan year also brings changes people are hearing about — including the Part D out-of-pocket cap rising to $2,400 and a maximum Part D deductible of $700. Scammers latch onto those headlines and use them as bait ("You need to re-verify your account for the new $2,400 benefit"). The changes are real. The phone call is not.

The most common scams to watch for in Plantation

The "new Medicare card" call. A caller says a new card is being issued — plastic, chip-enabled, tied to the new drug cap — and they just need to "confirm" your number. Medicare is not issuing new cards. Hang up.

The fake agent at the door. Under federal rules, licensed agents cannot show up at your home uninvited to pitch a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. If someone knocks claiming to be from Medicare, close the door and report it.

The "free" gift or service. Offers of free braces, genetic testing kits, diabetic supplies, or COVID tests in exchange for your Medicare number are a long-running fraud. The equipment is often billed to Medicare at inflated rates — and you may be denied a legitimate item later because records show you already received one.

The IRMAA or "penalty" threat. Scammers may claim you owe a Medicare penalty or an income-related surcharge (IRMAA actually begins above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026) and demand immediate payment by gift card or wire. Medicare does not collect that way.

The "helpful" enrollment website. Look-alike sites mimic Medicare.gov to harvest personal data. Always type medicare.gov directly into your browser.

Simple habits that stop most fraud

• Never give your Medicare number to someone who calls, texts, or emails you first.
• Check your Medicare Summary Notice or your online Medicare account for services you did not receive.
• Keep a short list of who legitimately has your Medicare number: your doctors, your hospital, your pharmacy, and Social Security.
• If a caller pressures you to decide "today," that itself is the red flag. Real Medicare decisions can wait until you speak with someone you trust.

What Plantation residents can do locally

Plantation is in Broward County, where 87 Medicare Advantage plans from 16 carriers are available for 2027 (down from 119 plans and 17 carriers in 2026). That wide selection is good for choice — but it also means more marketing, and more chances for a bad actor to blend in.

Two free, unbiased resources serve this area:

• SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is Florida's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Trained volunteers answer plan questions and can help you review your options at no cost.
• Florida's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) helps beneficiaries prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud. Reach them at 1-866-357-6677.

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) any time, day or night, to verify whether a call, letter, or offer is legitimate.

If you think you have been scammed

Do not feel embarrassed — these schemes are professionally run and target millions of people. Take three steps:

1. Write down what happened: the date, phone number, and what was said or shared. 2. Call the Florida SMP at 1-866-357-6677 or 1-800-MEDICARE. 3. If you shared bank or Social Security details, contact your bank and place a fraud alert with the major credit bureaus.