03/16/2026
Seniors are being cautioned to not fall for a new Medicare scam aimed at taking their money and identity. Medicare is advising anyone who receives a “new” plastic Medicare card in the mail to be aware that IT IS FAKE. 
The cards look official. They are laminated, glossy and sometimes are even stamped with a convincing hologram image. Many seniors trust documents that look official and scammers know it. But the main point to remember is Medicare does not issue plastic cards, they use paper only.
Scammers send out plastic cards because they look more “official” than the real paper ones, making the Medicare card scam easier to believe. The letter or insert usually claims you must “verify your identity” to activate the new card. Once you call the number, the scammer asks for your social security number, Medicare number, or banking information.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a phone call or a letter in the mail, IT’S A SCAM. The Senior Medicare Patrol cautions seniors to NOT call to verify, but to call Wyoming’s SMP to report the fraud. That number is: 800-856-4398.
Erin LeBlanc
Director of Operations and SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) Counselor.
