Ah, Medicare fraud—a $60 billion annual headache that’s as delightful as a root canal without anesthesia. What’s going on, you ask? Well, imagine providers double-billing for that one treatment you had or sneakily charging for a mystical back brace you’ve never seen or needed. Meanwhile, some shady company might offer you a bogus Medicare drug plan, and scammers are lurking, ready to pounce on your Medicare number for hospice fraud. It’s like a bad TV drama, but for your wallet!

This sneaky business can lead to medical identity theft, which is as fun as it sounds. You might lose your benefits or end up paying higher medical costs—all because someone decided to play fast and loose with your Medicare info. So, how do you fight back against these Medicare marauders?

1. Never Share Your Medicare Number with Strangers: If someone rings you up unexpectedly asking for your Medicare number, hang up! Medicare won’t call or pop by your house to sell you stuff. They only want your info if you contact them first. If they show up at your door, they’re either lost or confused, but definitely not selling Medicare.

2. Be a Detective and Report Medicare Mischief: Got a statement that seems fishier than a sushi platter? Ask your medical provider or plan for the scoop. If you think something’s fishy, call your local Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-877-808-2468 or reach out to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

3. Stand Up to Medical Identity Theft: If someone’s using your info to score medical care, tell your provider or plan immediately. Then, head over to IdentityTheft.gov to create a recovery plan that’s tailor-made for you.

4. Get the 411 on Medical Identity Theft: Join the FTC, the Identity Theft Resource Center, and the Senior Medicare Patrol Program on June 5, 2026, at 11am ET for a special Facebook Live event during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week. It’s like a virtual party but with more useful info and less cake.

5. Be the Hero and Report Other Scams: If you spot any shady business practices, visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov and let the FTC know. You’ll be doing your part to keep the world a little less scammy.

Remember, you’re not just protecting yourself; you’re safeguarding your community too. Knowledge is power, and with the right information, we can all outsmart the scammers!

For the original article, check out the URL: Original Article

Original article: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/05/medicare-fraud-affects-everyone-so-heres-what-know-and-do