Why scammers want it
With your Medicare number, a dishonest company can bill Medicare for equipment, tests, or services you never received. That can mess up your medical records and may affect what Medicare will cover for you later.
Your Medicare card has its own number of letters and numbers, not your Social Security number. Keep it as private as your Social Security number anyway.
Who may ask for it
- Your doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other providers when you get care.
- Your insurance company, if you have a Medicare Advantage, drug, or supplement plan.
- 1-800-MEDICARE, when you are the one who called.
Who should never get it
- Someone who calls, texts, or emails you out of the blue saying they are from Medicare. Medicare will not contact you uninvited to ask for your number.
- Anyone offering free braces, genetic tests, diabetic supplies, or a new card in exchange for your number.
- Someone at your door, at a health fair, or on social media.
- A caller saying your card is expiring or needs to be replaced for a fee. New cards are free.
Check your statements
Read every Medicare Summary Notice or plan statement that comes in the mail, or check your account at medicare.gov. Look for services, equipment, or dates you do not recognize. Keep a simple calendar of your appointments to compare.
If you think someone has your number
If a letter or statement about Medicare is confusing, you can send Uncle a photo with your Medicare number covered and ask what it means.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and tell them what happened.
- Ask whether you should get a new Medicare number.
- Report any charges you do not recognize.
- If your Social Security number was also shared, see identitytheft.gov.
Stuck on a step?
Text Uncle at +1 208 214 0093 and tell him what you see on your screen. He walks you through it in plain words, one step at a time.
Read next
Written by the Textuncle team. Last updated October 3, 2026.
Text Uncle