Your information stays yours
- It never asks for your Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank numbers.
- It never emails, calls, texts, faxes, or submits anything without your clear yes. It drafts, you decide.
Scam warnings
- Never tap links or call back numbers from a surprise call, text, email, or chat message about your Social Security. Call SSA yourself at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), and report scams at oig.ssa.gov.
- Never give your Medicare number to someone who contacts you out of the blue by call, text, email, or chat. Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) yourself.
- Social Security and Medicare will never call to threaten arrest, and never ask for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
- They never call to ask for your Social Security or Medicare number.
- Watch for "new Medicare card" scams and offers of free gear (like braces or test kits). These are common during Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7.
- If in doubt, hang up and call the official number yourself.
Report a scam
- Social Security scams: oig.ssa.gov
- Medicare scams: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
Elder abuse or exploitation
Contact Adult Protective Services. Find your local office through the Eldercare Locator at eldercare.acl.gov or 1-800-677-1116.
Disclaimer
This helper is a guide, not legal, tax, or financial advice. It is not affiliated with SSA, CMS, or any government agency. Always confirm important decisions with the official agency.