Medicare 2026

Medicare Scams Are Rising in Richmond — How to Stay Safe

RICHMOND, Ind. — With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period running October 15 through December 7, scam calls, text messages, and door knocks are picking up across eastern Indiana. Fraud experts say the pattern is predictable: crooks know seniors are thinking about coverage right now, so they use the season as cover to try to steal Medicare numbers, bank details, and money.

Wayne County residents are not immune. The good news is that most of these scams follow a script, and once you know the warning signs, they get much easier to spot.

Why scams spike this time of year

Between October 15 and December 7, people with Medicare can change their Part D drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan for the coming year. Scammers know that. They also know the news is full of Medicare talk right now — including real changes, like the Part D out-of-pocket cap moving from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027, and a maximum Part D deductible of $615 in 2026 rising to $700 in 2027.

That mix of real news and real deadlines gives fraudsters a story to hide behind. They may claim there's a "new benefit," a "new Medicare card," or a "limited-time" plan you'll lose if you don't act today. None of that is how Medicare actually works.

The most common Medicare scams to watch for

The fake "Medicare agent" phone call. A caller says they're from Medicare and need to "verify" your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account. Medicare already has your information. It does not cold-call beneficiaries to sell plans or ask for personal details.

The "new Medicare card" trick. A caller warns that your card is expiring or that you need a new plastic or "chip" card. Medicare cards do not expire, and there is no chip card program.

Door-to-door and coffee-shop pitches. Licensed agents are not allowed to show up uninvited at your home to sell you a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. If someone knocks on your door in Richmond claiming to be "from Medicare," that alone is a red flag.

Free gifts, gift cards, or cash to enroll. Offering money, meals, or gifts to sign you up is against Medicare's rules. A legitimate agent will never do this.

Text and social media scams. Messages claiming your benefits are "on hold" or asking you to click a link to "confirm enrollment" are almost always phishing attempts. Don't click.

Fake genetic testing, braces, or medical equipment offers. Scammers sometimes offer "free" testing kits or back braces at health fairs or by phone, then bill Medicare for equipment you didn't need. Always check with your own doctor first.

How to protect yourself

• Guard your Medicare number like a credit card. Only share it with your doctors, pharmacists, and trusted providers.
• Hang up on anyone who calls you unexpectedly claiming to be from Medicare, Social Security, or a health plan. You can always call back a number you know is real.
• Don't be rushed. Real Medicare rules and deadlines are the same for everyone. Anyone pushing you to decide "today" is not looking out for you.
• Check your Medicare Summary Notice or claims online. Look for services or equipment you didn't receive. Catching a false charge early makes it easier to fix.
• Use free, unbiased local help. Indiana's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides one-on-one counseling at no cost. Counselors do not sell plans and do not earn commissions.

What's actually changing for 2027 (so scammers can't fake it)

Knowing the real 2027 numbers makes it easier to spot a lie:

• The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027.
• The Part D deductible can be no more than $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
• The old coverage gap (the "donut hole") was eliminated in 2025 — Part D now has three phases.
• The optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly payments.
• IRMAA surcharges on Part B and Part D start above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.

Richmond is in Wayne County, and Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability is set at the county level. If you want to compare what's actually offered here, use the official Plan Finder at Medicare.gov rather than trusting a caller's claims.

If you think you've been targeted

Take a breath — being contacted by a scammer is not the same as being scammed. Write down what happened: the date, the phone number, what they asked for, and what you said.

Then report it:

• Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP): Indiana SMP investigates suspected Medicare fraud and can help you understand next steps.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227): available 24/7.
• Indiana SHIP: free local counseling on Medicare questions and suspected fraud.
• Federal Trade Commission: report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you shared your Medicare number, call 1-800-MEDICARE right away. In some cases, a new Medicare number can be issued.