Medicare 2026

Medicare Scams Surge Before Dec. 7 — How Marysville Can Stay Safe

MARYSVILLE, Wash. — As the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs through December 7, scammers are working overtime. Phones are ringing, mailboxes are filling up, and door knocks are picking up across Snohomish County. Fraud reports typically climb every fall, and the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) says this year is no different — with scammers using the switch to the 2026 plan year, the new $2,100 Part D out-of-pocket cap, and the optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan as fresh hooks to catch people off guard.

Here's what Marysville residents should watch for — and how to shut a scam down fast.

Why enrollment season is prime time for fraud

Between October 15 and December 7, people with Medicare are actively comparing coverage, taking calls, and looking at mailers. Scammers know this. They pretend to be from Medicare, a well-known insurance company, or even a government "benefits update office" that doesn't exist.

Their goal is almost always the same: get your Medicare number, your Social Security number, or your bank information. Once they have it, they can bill Medicare for services you never received, steal your identity, or enroll you in a plan you didn't choose.

The scams showing up most this year

Marysville is in Snohomish County, where dozens of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are offered for 2026 — and that broad choice is exactly what scammers try to exploit. A few patterns to know:

• "You need a new Medicare card." There is no new card for 2026. If someone calls saying you must "verify" your number to get one, hang up.
• The $2,100 cap pitch. The new Part D out-of-pocket cap is real, but no one needs your bank account or Medicare number to "activate" it. It applies automatically.
• Fake Prescription Payment Plan sign-ups. The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is a legitimate option that lets you spread drug costs over the year, but you enroll through your drug plan — not through a cold caller.
• Door-to-door "agents." Licensed agents are not allowed to show up at your door uninvited to sell Medicare plans. That's a CMS rule.
• Free gifts, gift cards, or "free" medical equipment. Offering something of value in exchange for your Medicare number is against Medicare marketing rules — it's a red flag, not a deal.
• Genetic testing or brace kits. If someone offers a "free" test or brace and asks for your Medicare number, walk away.

Simple habits that stop most scams cold

You don't need to be a tech expert to protect yourself. A few plain rules go a long way:

1. Guard your Medicare number like a credit card. Only share it with your doctor, pharmacist, or a trusted representative you called first. 2. Never take an unsolicited Medicare call seriously. Medicare will not call, text, or email you out of the blue asking for personal information. 3. Hang up on pressure. "Sign today or lose your benefits" is a scam script. Real enrollment decisions can be made anytime through December 7 (or during Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment, January 1 – March 31). 4. Check your Medicare Summary Notice or online account. Look for services or equipment you didn't receive. That's often the first sign of fraud. 5. Write it down. If you get a suspicious call, note the date, time, phone number, and what was said before you report it.

What to do if you think you were targeted — or scammed

If something feels off, trust that instinct. You can:

• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report suspected fraud.
• Contact Washington's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-800-562-6900, which is trained specifically to help with Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse.
• Reach the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) — Washington's SHIP program — for free, unbiased help comparing plans. SHIBA counselors do not sell insurance.

Reporting matters even if you didn't lose money. Every report helps investigators spot patterns and shut scam operations down.

A quick note on legitimate help

Not every call or mailer is a scam. Licensed agents, plan customer service lines, and Medicare itself do communicate during AEP. The difference is that legitimate contacts:

• Don't demand your Medicare number to "keep" your coverage.
• Don't threaten to cancel your benefits.
• Don't offer cash, gift cards, or "free" equipment to sign up.
• Give you time to think and to check with family or a counselor.

When in doubt, hang up and call the organization back using a number you look up yourself.