Medicare 2026

Findlay Seniors: How to Spot Medicare Scams Before Dec. 7

FINDLAY, Ohio — Every fall, when Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period opens on October 15, the phones in Hancock County start ringing. Some of those calls are legitimate. Many are not. As the December 7 deadline approaches, scam artists step up robocalls, door knocks, and texts aimed at people on Medicare — and the higher Part D out-of-pocket cap coming in 2027 is already being used as bait.

Here is what Findlay-area residents should watch for this season, and how to shut a scam down before it costs you money or your Medicare number.

Why enrollment season is prime time for scams

Between October 15 and December 7, more than 60 million people are thinking about their Medicare coverage at the same time. Fraudsters know it. They also know real changes are worth talking about — the Part D out-of-pocket cap on drug spending is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, the Part D maximum deductible is $700 in 2027, and the optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year. Scammers twist those real headlines into fake offers, hoping you will hand over personal information to "lock in" a benefit.

Findlay is in Hancock County, where seniors have a healthy number of Medicare Advantage and Part D options to sort through each fall. That volume of choice is exactly what a scammer counts on — confusion makes people more likely to say yes to a stranger.

The most common scams to watch for right now

The "new Medicare card" call. Someone claims your card is being reissued because of the drug-cost changes and asks you to "verify" your Medicare number. Medicare does not work this way. Your red, white, and blue card does not change because the drug cap changed.

The door-to-door "helper." An agent shows up uninvited offering to review your plan. Under Medicare's marketing rules, agents are not allowed to come to your home without a prior, documented invitation from you.

The high-pressure phone pitch. "You have to decide today or you'll lose the benefit." Real Medicare enrollment gives you until December 7, and Medicare Advantage members get another window from January 1 through March 31 to make one change.

The fake "rebate." Because the Part D cap is genuine news, scammers are calling to offer a "refund" or "rebate check" tied to it. There is no such check, and no one from Medicare will ask for your bank account to send you one.

Text and social media scams. Links that promise extra benefits, grocery cards, or cash allowances often lead to pages designed to steal your identity.

How to protect yourself in three steps

1. Guard your Medicare number like a credit card. Only share it with your doctor, pharmacist, or trusted providers you contacted first. 2. Hang up, then verify. If a caller claims to be from Medicare, Social Security, or a plan you already have, hang up and call the number on the back of your card or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). 3. Get a second set of eyes. Ohio's State Health Insurance Assistance Program — called OSHIIP here — provides free, one-on-one counseling. Counselors do not sell plans and do not earn commissions.

What to do if you think you were targeted

Write down what happened: the date, the phone number, what the caller said, and any information you may have shared. Then report it. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is the federally funded program specifically designed to help people spot, report, and prevent Medicare fraud. Ohio's SMP can be reached at 1-800-488-6070. You can also report fraud directly to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or through medicare.gov.

If you shared your Medicare number, request a new one and review your Medicare Summary Notices carefully for services you did not receive. Catching a bogus charge early makes it much easier to fix.

A note on IRMAA and income-based scams

Some callers try to sound official by name-dropping IRMAA — the income-related surcharge that begins above $109,000 for single filers in 2026. If a caller says you owe an IRMAA payment by phone or gift card, it is a scam. IRMAA determinations come from the Social Security Administration in writing, and any real payment is handled through official channels.