Beware of the "New Medicare Chip Card" Scam | Take Care
Beware of the "New Medicare Chip Card" Scam
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By
Jenny Leight
July 14, 2026
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You may receive a call or even a piece of mail claiming Medicare is issuing a new plastic, chip-enabled card and that you need to pay a fee or verify your information to receive it.
It’s a scam.
What’s happening
This scam is showing up in two common ways:
The phone call. A caller claims your current Medicare card is being replaced with a more “secure,” chip-enabled version. They may ask you to pay a small fee or confirm sensitive information like your Social Security number or Medicare ID.
In some cases, they may already know personal details like your doctor or prescriptions which can make the call feel legitimate.
The mailed card. A convincing-looking plastic card arrives with a sticker saying "call to activate." The activation number routes to a scammer who collects your SSN, Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, and often bank details.
How to know it's a scam
Medicare cards are paper, replacements are free, and Medicare will not contact you unexpectedly to issue a new card.
There is no chip-enabled Medicare card. There is no activation process. There are no fees.
Red flags to remember
- Any mention of a “new” or “upgraded” Medicare card
- Requests for a processing, shipping, or activation fee
- Being asked to share your Social Security number or Medicare number
- Urgent language like “you must act now” or “your benefits will be affected”
- A caller who already knows personal details about you
What to do
- Hang up or ignore the request
- Do not share personal or financial information
- Do not call numbers provided in unsolicited messages or mail
- If you’re unsure, contact Medicare directly using official channels
Stay one step ahead
Scams like this are designed to feel convincing, especially when they include real details or create urgency.
If something feels off, take a moment to pause and verify. Tools like Carefull’s ScamCheck can help you quickly assess suspicious messages before you act.
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Jenny Leight
Jenny Leight supports Business Development & Strategy at Carefull, the first financial safety platform designed to protect aging adults and their families from elder fraud, scams, and money mistakes.
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