StateWide Warns of a New Medicare Card Scam Targeting New York Seniors

December alert: StateWide flags a Medicare card scheme and why it matters

On December 15, 2025, StateWide issued its December “Medicare Fraud of the Month” alert through a press release distributed on PR Newswire. The group flagged a fresh scam that asks Medicare beneficiaries to confirm or “update” their Medicare card information — often by phone, text or a mailed form — and then uses that bait to harvest personal details.

The warning is short and sharp: fraudsters are pretending to act for Medicare or for a trustworthy health agency and asking people to provide their Medicare number, Social Security number, bank details or to sign and return forms. StateWide says the ploy is aimed squarely at older adults and that the pitch is designed to sound urgent and official so recipients will let their guard down.

How the scam operates: common scripts, requests and red flags

StateWide’s notice outlines the typical playbook. Scammers reach out in one of three ways: a live call, an automated message, or a mailed notice that looks like official paperwork. The language varies, but the core ask does not. Victims are told they need to verify their Medicare card, pay a processing or shipping fee for a new card, or confirm identity to avoid a service interruption.

Here are the most common lines StateWide says callers use:

• “We need to confirm your Medicare number to issue your new card.”
• “There’s a problem with your account; press a number now to speak to a representative.”
• “A replacement card will be mailed once you pay a small fee.”

Behind those words, scammers are fishing for three kinds of data: the Medicare number itself, Social Security information, and financial details like bank account or routing numbers. Sometimes they ask the recipient to fill out and mail back a form that looks legitimate — complete with logos and fine print — or to enter information into a website that mimics a government page.

StateWide stresses several red flags readers should watch for: unsolicited contact that asks for personal data, threats about immediate loss of benefits, pressure to act right away, requests for payment via wire transfer or gift cards, and documents or links that arrive unexpectedly. Any of these are warning signs that the call or message may not be from Medicare.

Why New York seniors are vulnerable — what StateWide says

StateWide framed this alert as not just a single scam but part of a larger pattern that targets older adults’ trust and routine contact with health services. In its release, the group pointed out the scale of the exposure in New York: the state has millions of residents aged 65 and over who rely on Medicare for care and are often the focus of fraud campaigns.

The organization also quoted local providers and counselors who report that scams spike during times when Medicare messaging is higher, such as enrollment windows and when policy shifts are discussed. StateWide emphasized that scammers often reuse official-looking language and materials, which makes the approach convincing to people who get frequent mail or calls about health benefits.

Where to find help and how to report this scam

StateWide’s release lists several places people can contact for information or to report suspected fraud. It points beneficiaries toward official Medicare help lines and the New York State consumer-protection offices for advice and complaints. Local agencies that serve older adults — including county aging offices and senior centers — are also noted as places to raise concerns and get assistance.

The group encourages anyone who thinks they’ve been contacted by one of these schemes to document the interaction: note the call or message details, keep any letters or forms, and report the incident promptly so authorities can track patterns. StateWide will accept reports and shares summaries in its monthly alerts to help others spot the same tactics.

Enforcement, trends and what comes next

StateWide’s warning fits a larger trend: fraudsters keep adapting their scripts and channels, and public agencies and consumer groups are responding with timely alerts. Enforcement actions against large fraud rings happen, but they can lag behind the quick, small-scale scams consumers face every day. StateWide says it will continue to publish a monthly “Medicare Fraud of the Month” notice and urges communities and local agencies to stay alert and pass the word along to older neighbors and family members.

For New Yorkers, the takeaway is straightforward: treat unexpected requests for Medicare or personal information with suspicion, keep records of suspicious contacts, and use the official reporting channels named by StateWide so the scam does not spread further.

Sources

• prnewswire.com