Medicare 2026

Medicare Scams Spike Before Dec. 7 — How Valparaiso Can Push Back

VALPARAISO, Ind. — With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period running through Dec. 7, phones across Porter County are ringing with a familiar seasonal problem: scam calls, texts, and door-knockers pretending to be from Medicare. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) reports that fraud attempts climb sharply every fall, when scammers know older adults are weighing coverage decisions and are more likely to answer questions about their health and finances.

The good news: a few simple habits can shut most of these schemes down before they start.

Why scams surge during enrollment season

Between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, 2026, Medicare beneficiaries are actively reviewing Part D and Medicare Advantage options for 2027. Criminals piggyback on that attention. They pose as "Medicare representatives," "benefit advisors," or even neighbors offering help. Some pitch fake new cards, phony "flex" benefits, or bogus discounts tied to program changes — including the Part D out-of-pocket cap, which is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, and the optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.

Those program updates are real. The people cold-calling you about them usually are not.

The scams showing up most often

Fake Medicare calls. A caller says your card is being "upgraded" or that you need a new number because of 2027 changes. Medicare does not work this way. Your card and number do not change year to year.

Text and email phishing. Messages claim your benefits are suspended unless you "verify" personal information through a link. Don't click. Delete.

Door-to-door "agents." CMS marketing rules prohibit licensed agents from showing up unannounced to sell you a plan. If someone knocks in Valparaiso claiming to represent Medicare or a specific plan without an appointment, that's a red flag.

Free gift or genetic testing offers. Scammers ask for your Medicare number in exchange for braces, DNA kits, or "free" medical equipment, then bill Medicare for services you never got.

High-pressure enrollment pitches. Real agents cannot rush you, threaten loss of benefits, or promise you're "guaranteed" a specific outcome. Pressure equals fraud until proven otherwise.

How to protect yourself

• Guard your Medicare number like a credit card. Share it only with your doctor, pharmacist, or trusted providers.
• Hang up on cold calls. If you're curious whether something is legitimate, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself.
• Check your Medicare Summary Notice or your account at Medicare.gov for charges you don't recognize.
• Take your time. The AEP deadline is real, but no legitimate agent needs a decision in the next 10 minutes.
• Bring a second set of eyes. A family member, pharmacist, or SHIP counselor can review paperwork before you sign.

Local help in Porter County

Valparaiso is in Porter County, where residents have access to a range of stand-alone Part D and Medicare Advantage plans during enrollment — enough that comparing them on your own can feel overwhelming, which is exactly what scammers count on.

Indiana's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, one-on-one counseling from trained volunteers who do not sell insurance and do not earn commissions. You can reach Indiana SHIP at 1-800-452-4800 or through in.gov/idoi/ship. Indiana's Senior Medicare Patrol, reachable at the same number, specifically handles fraud reports and can walk you through next steps if you've already shared information.

If you think you've been targeted

Report it. Even attempted scams help investigators spot patterns. Contact:

• 1-800-MEDICARE to report suspicious activity or billing.
• Indiana SMP at 1-800-452-4800.
• The Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
• Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-382-5516.

If you shared your Medicare number, monitor your statements closely and consider requesting a new number through Medicare if fraud is confirmed.