Have you received a package that you never ordered? It could be Medicare fraud, and your identity may already be at risk. We are seeing reports of this happening all over the country as these sophisticated new scams are targeting seniors in different areas.
Now, this matters to you because for many of you, Medicare is your lifeline. For a lot of people, this is their only path to care. And as AARP Arizona’s Dana Marie Kennedy put it so plainly, nothing is free. Somebody’s getting billed.
This is a transcript of our video. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel: Low Income Relief.
How The Scam Works
When these packages arrive unexpectedly, a lot of times they are billing Medicare on your behalf without you even knowing, and they are conducting Medicare fraud in your name. That’s why it’s so important to understand what this scam is, how to identify it if you are a victim, what you should do, and what you should not do if one of these packages arrives on your doorstep.
This story was brought to our attention because of what happened to a retired firefighter. His name is Patrick Nahas. He lives in Mesa, Arizona. He received a package he had to sign for, but he had never ordered it. When he opened it, there was a medical brace inside with no instructions.
He later told the local news, “That’s my name, address, everything. So they got all my information somewhere.” But what he didn’t realize was that this was a form of Medicare fraud. The package isn’t necessarily the goal—it’s a tool. Once they have your identity and your information, they can file fraudulent Medicare claims, sometimes worth thousands of dollars.
The Growing Problem Of Medicare Fraud
This has become a very significant problem nationwide. It’s estimated that Medicare fraud is now costing between $60 billion and $100 billion every single year. A lot of times, these involve sophisticated schemes or ghost providers, so it’s really hard to nail down the exact amount.
In June 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice had their biggest-ever fraud takedown. They charged 324 defendants in connection with over $14 billion in alleged fraud. This included a single $10.6 billion scheme that involved stolen identities of over a million people that were used to bill for medical equipment.
This is a trend I’ve seen over and over again, where providers are billing millions for medical equipment that is either never delivered or never needed. They get your Medicare number and just bill for it anyway.
A lot of experts say that medical identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America, and it’s harder to fix than credit fraud.
Why This Fraud Is Dangerous
It’s important to know if your information is compromised. You don’t even have to do anything wrong to be a victim of this kind of fraud. We see data breaches all the time. Your information could have been stolen from a healthcare provider breach, an insurance company leak, an online account hack, or many other sources.
You may not have any idea this fraud is being done in your name until it’s too late.
This fraud can harm you even if you aren’t aware of it because it creates false records in your medical history. It can show conditions you don’t have, affect future diagnoses or treatment, and complicate your insurance.
If Medicare shows you’ve already received a device, they may refuse to cover the real one you actually need later because they believe you already got it.
It also drains Medicare funds that are needed by real people. When a program like this loses money, it usually means bad things for the people who rely on it.
It’s especially risky for low-income families because Medicare is often their only healthcare option. Resolving fraud can involve a lot of paperwork, calls, follow-up, and stress.
What To Do If You Receive A Package
Let’s say you receive a box addressed to you. Inside is medical equipment, like a back brace, and a flyer saying, “Call to activate your Medicare benefit.” It may look official, but you didn’t order it.
First of all, do not call that number.
If there’s a phone number, QR code, website, or anything like that, do not engage. Even if they don’t already have your Medicare information, they may ask for it when you call, and then you’re handing it to them.
If you didn’t order it, aren’t aware of a doctor referral, and didn’t request it, don’t engage with anything in the package.
Instead, call your provider and ask if they are aware of a referral. If they’re not, you should be very suspicious.
Protecting Your Medicare Information
Scammers count on urgency and confusion. If you’re confused, don’t engage. If they’re trying to make it feel urgent, definitely don’t engage.
You need to treat your Medicare number like a credit card number. It’s the key to your entire healthcare identity. Once a scammer has it, they can bill for equipment, procedures, or services in your name without you knowing.
Never share your Medicare number over the phone unless you initiated the call and know exactly who you’re calling. Never give it to someone who sent you something unsolicited. Guard it the same way you would guard your Social Security number.
Steps To Take Right Away
If you receive one of these packages:
- Keep the package. Save the box, label, and any paperwork.
- Check your Medicare Summary Notices for charges, equipment, or services you don’t recognize.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE and report the package so they can monitor for suspicious charges.
- Contact the Senior Medicare Patrol for free help preventing and reporting fraud.
Medicare is supposed to mail you a summary of all services billed to your account every three months. It’s like a bank statement for your healthcare. You can also view these online.
Watch for:
- Equipment you never received
- Doctor visits that didn’t happen
- Dates that don’t match your records
- Providers you’ve never heard of
If you spot and report these issues, it may help uncover larger fraud schemes and protect the program.
Final Thoughts
If you have any questions about Medicare, your local resources can help get them answered. If you have questions for me, drop them in the comments.
