Adapted for Hawaiʻi by Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP Hawaiʻi)
Over the past week, SMP Washington D.C. has received multiple reports from Medicare beneficiaries who were contacted by individuals claiming to be “Medicare Assistants.”
These scammers are calling from numbers such as 202-410-2353, 202-403-6820, and 650-370-1896, pretending to offer:
A new Medicare card with a chip, or
Help authorizing medical equipment like back, knee, or elbow braces supposedly covered by Medicare.
Unfortunately, several beneficiaries provided their Medicare numbers before realizing they had been targeted by a scam. SMP Washington D.C. was able to help those individuals secure new Medicare numbers and file official reports to protect their benefits.
In each case, the callers appeared friendly, polite, and even ended the conversation with, “God bless you.” This manipulative tone is part of the scammer’s tactic to earn trust before stealing personal information.
While this scam is currently widespread in the mainland U.S., it’s only a matter of time before similar calls reach Hawaiʻi’s kūpuna. SMP Hawaiʻi urges everyone to remain alert and help protect family members, friends, and neighbors.
There is no new Medicare card being mailed to beneficiaries at this time.
If you receive a call, text, or message claiming that Medicare is sending a “new,” “plastic,” or “chip” card — it’s a scam.
The most recent national Medicare card update (removing Social Security numbers) was completed in 2019.
No new cards are being issued for 2025 or beyond unless you personally request a replacement or are notified directly by Medicare.
Medicare will never call, text, or email asking for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information to send you a card.
If your Medicare card or number has been compromised, you can report it or request a replacement safely at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Scammers may use one of the following false claims to trick you into sharing personal information:
“You need to update your Medicare card for 2025.”
“We’re issuing new chip or plastic Medicare cards.”
“Your old card is expiring.”
“You must pay a small fee for a replacement card.”
👉 Don’t believe it. Medicare cards do not expire, and there are no upgrade fees or new “chip cards.”
Hang up immediately if you receive suspicious calls about Medicare cards or equipment.
Never share your Medicare number, Social Security number, or banking details over the phone, text, or email.
Verify any information directly with Medicare or SMP Hawaiʻi before taking action.
Encourage kūpuna and family members to talk openly about these scams — awareness is protection.
Report all suspicious activity promptly to SMP Hawaiʻi or Medicare.
If you suspect your Medicare number has been compromised:
Contact Medicare immediately at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to request a new number.
Reach out to SMP Hawaiʻi for guidance on reporting and monitoring any fraudulent claims.
Our trained volunteers can help you review your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) and spot unusual charges or billing errors.
If you or someone you know has received suspicious calls or texts about “Medicare Assistants” or “chip cards,” please contact:
SMP Hawaiʻi (Senior Medicare Patrol Hawaiʻi)
📞 1-800-296-9422
✉️ info@smphawaii.org
🌐 www.smphawaii.org
This fact sheet, adapted from SMP Washington D.C. – Legal Counsel for the Elderly, provides clear information about:
Common scam tactics and warning signs
Step-by-step guidance for reporting fraud
How to safeguard your Medicare information
You can access the full resource and learn more at www.smphawaii.org/resources.
Hawaiʻi’s kūpuna deserve to feel safe, respected, and informed. As scams become more sophisticated, our best defense is education, vigilance, and community support.
If something feels off — pause, verify, and report. Together, we can protect our kupuna and keep Hawaiʻi’s communities secure.
