Michigan says scammers are using Medicare sign-up season to get Medicare numbers by phone, mail and door knocks, and the deadline is Dec. 7.
Michigan is warning that scammers are using the Medicare sign-up period to collect people's Medicare numbers and other private information. They are not just calling. The state says they also send mail and show up at the door unannounced. The enrollment deadline is Dec. 7, so the next few weeks are prime time for this kind of fraud.
Keaton James, who works for American Senior Benefits, says some callers are "less than honest." They may try to switch a person's plan without consent or pull out health details that should stay private. A stolen Medicare number can lead to exactly that kind of switch. The state also notes that scams powered by AI can now sound like real agents offering help.
The warning is aimed at people on Medicare or about to enroll, and at family members who help them. One clear red flag: anyone who says they are from Medicare or endorsed by Medicare. James says licensed agents are not allowed to say that. He adds that real help should feel safe and educational, not salesy or pushy.
The alert box above lays out the steps, including where to get free help and how to report a scam.
The state did not say how many people have been targeted or how much money or information has been lost. It also did not name specific scam groups or areas. For now, the advice is to take your time and never hand over a Medicare number to someone who contacted you first.
Never give your Medicare number to anyone who contacts you first, and slow down before the Dec. 7 deadline.
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