Medicare Scams in Florida:
How to Spot & Avoid Them
Florida is one of the top targets for Medicare fraud in the country. Scammers steal billions from Medicare every year — and they specifically target Florida seniors. Here is what you need to know to protect yourself.
Medicare will never call you unsolicited to ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account. Hang up immediately on any such call.
Why Florida Seniors Are Prime Targets
Florida has one of the largest Medicare populations in the United States. With over 4.5 million Medicare beneficiaries — and hundreds of thousands more turning 65 every year — the state is a prime hunting ground for Medicare scammers, fraudulent marketers, and identity thieves.
According to the HHS Office of Inspector General , Medicare fraud costs the federal government an estimated $60 billion or more per year. Florida consistently ranks among the top states for Medicare fraud investigations and prosecutions.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) warns that scammers specifically target seniors during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31), when beneficiaries are most likely to be thinking about their coverage.
Understanding the most common scams — and the red flags to watch for — is the single most effective way to protect yourself, your Medicare benefits, and your identity.
6 Most Common Medicare Scams in Florida
These are the fraud schemes most frequently reported by Florida seniors — and the specific red flags that identify each one.
Unsolicited Phone Calls
Scammers call claiming to be Medicare, Social Security, or your insurance company. They pressure you to "verify" your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account — often threatening to cancel your coverage if you refuse.
Red Flags
- Caller asks for your Medicare number to "update records"
- Threatens your benefits will be cancelled
- Offers free equipment or services in exchange for your number
- Calls from an unfamiliar number claiming to be Medicare
Fake Medicare Cards & Mailers
Fraudsters send official-looking letters or cards claiming you need a new "plastic Medicare card" with a chip, or that your card has been compromised. They ask you to call a number or visit a website to "activate" it.
Red Flags
- Letter claims Medicare is issuing plastic cards with chips (they are not)
- Asks you to call a number to activate your new card
- Requests payment to receive your new card
- Return address does not match official CMS/SSA addresses
"Free" Medical Equipment Scams
Callers offer free back braces, knee braces, diabetic supplies, or other equipment — then bill Medicare for expensive items you never ordered or received. Your Medicare number is used to submit fraudulent claims.
Red Flags
- Unsolicited offer of free medical equipment
- Caller says "Medicare is paying for it — it costs you nothing"
- Asks for your Medicare number to "check eligibility"
- Equipment arrives that you never requested
Fake Medicare Flex Card Offers
Ads on social media, TV, and mailers promote "Medicare flex cards" loaded with hundreds of dollars for groceries, utilities, and dental. While some Medicare Advantage plans do offer limited benefit cards, the advertised amounts are wildly exaggerated.
Red Flags
- Promises of $2,400+ flex card "available to all seniors"
- Asks for Medicare number to "claim your card"
- Requires you to switch plans immediately to receive the benefit
- No specific plan name or carrier mentioned
Medicare Supplement Switching Scams
Agents or callers pressure seniors to switch Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans by claiming their current plan is "being cancelled" or that a new plan offers identical coverage at a lower price — without disclosing underwriting requirements or coverage gaps.
Red Flags
- Claims your current Medigap plan is being discontinued
- Pressures you to switch before Open Enrollment
- Does not disclose that switching Medigap requires medical underwriting
- Offers a lower premium without explaining reduced benefits
Fake Medicare Seminars & "Lunch" Events
Free lunch or dinner seminars that promise Medicare education but are actually high-pressure sales events. CMS rules prohibit agents from conducting sales activities at educational events — but not all agents follow the rules.
Red Flags
- Seminar requires you to bring your Medicare card
- Agent pressures you to enroll on the spot
- No time given to review plan documents before signing
- Seminar is held at a restaurant with a meal provided by an insurance carrier
How to Protect Yourself from Medicare Fraud
Six concrete steps every Florida Medicare beneficiary should take right now.
Guard Your Medicare Number
Treat your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) like a credit card number. Never give it to anyone who contacts you unsolicited — by phone, text, email, or door-to-door.
Review Your Medicare Summary Notices
Check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSN) or log in to MyMedicare.gov to review claims. Look for services, equipment, or providers you do not recognize.
Hang Up on Unsolicited Callers
Medicare will never call you unsolicited to ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information. If someone calls claiming to be Medicare, hang up.
Work Only with Licensed Agents
Verify any Medicare agent's license at the Florida Department of Insurance website before sharing personal information or enrolling in a plan.
Report Suspected Fraud Immediately
Report Medicare fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the HHS Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). You can also report online at oig.hhs.gov.
Call a Trusted Local Broker
A licensed, independent Medicare broker can help you verify whether an offer is legitimate, review your current coverage, and compare plans — at no cost to you.
Official Government Resources
These are the only official sources you should trust for Medicare fraud reporting and education.
Medicare.gov — Fraud & Abuse
Official CMS resource for reporting Medicare fraud and understanding your rights.
HHS Office of Inspector General
Report Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse directly to the federal OIG.
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
Federally funded program that empowers seniors to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud.
Florida SHINE Program
Florida's free Medicare counseling program — trained volunteers help seniors understand their rights.
FTC — Report Fraud
Report scam calls, fake Medicare offers, and identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission.
MyMedicare.gov
Log in to review your Medicare claims and spot unauthorized charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Medicare ever call me to ask for my Medicare number?
No. Medicare will generally not call you unsolicited to ask for your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI), Social Security number, or bank information. If you receive such a call, hang up and report it to 1-800-MEDICARE.
Is Medicare issuing new plastic cards with chips?
No. Medicare cards are paper cards. Any offer of a plastic Medicare card with a chip is a scam. Do not provide your Medicare number or payment information to receive one.
How do I report Medicare fraud in Florida?
You can report Medicare fraud by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), contacting the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS, or reporting online at oig.hhs.gov. Florida seniors can also contact the SHINE program at floridashine.org for free counseling.
What is a Medicare flex card and is it legitimate?
Some Medicare Advantage plans do offer supplemental benefit cards for limited expenses. However, advertisements claiming all seniors qualify for $2,400+ flex cards are misleading. These benefits vary by plan and ZIP code. Contact a licensed Medicare broker to find out what is actually available in your area.
Related Blog Posts
Northeast Florida
Medicare Scams Targeting NE Florida Seniors — Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Duval Counties
County-by-county breakdown of active scams, local resources, and ZIP codes being targeted across Northeast Florida.
Palm Coast / Flagler County
New Medicare Cards in Palm Coast — Scam Alert for Flagler County Seniors
Palm Coast and Flagler County seniors are receiving new Medicare cards due to fraud investigations — while scammers are aggressively targeting the same retirees.
Not Sure If an Offer Is Legitimate?
Call William Gray — a licensed, independent Florida Medicare broker. He can verify whether any Medicare offer, plan change, or enrollment request is real — at no cost to you.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY: 1-877-486-2048) to get information on all of your options.
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Not all plans or types of coverage may be available in your area. Plan availability, benefits, and premiums vary by county and ZIP code. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. Benefits, premiums, and cost-sharing may change on January 1 of each year.
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