Medicare fraud isn't abstract. It's happening right now in Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, and every corner of Erie County. Scammers dial thousands of local numbers every week, and they're getting better at sounding legitimate.

The New York Statewide Senior Action Council has flagged three specific schemes as especially active in Western New York right now. Understanding exactly how each one works — step by step — is your best protection.

Scam #1: The "Medicare Card Renewal" Call

This scam has been running for years, but it surged again in early 2026. Here's how it works.

You receive a phone call from someone who identifies themselves as a Medicare representative. They tell you that Medicare is issuing new cards (this has happened before — Medicare really did replace cards in 2018, which is exactly why this story sounds familiar). They say your current card is about to expire or has been flagged for suspicious activity.

Then they ask you to "verify" your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) — the number on your red, white, and blue card.

Once they have that number, they're done with you. Your MBI works like a credit card number. Fraudsters use it to bill Medicare for doctor visits, equipment, and procedures you never had. Sometimes they bill for tens of thousands of dollars before anyone notices.

Warning signs:

  • The caller says your card is expiring or needs to be "activated."
  • They ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information to "send the new card."
  • They create urgency — "You must call back today or your coverage will lapse."

What Medicare actually does: Medicare does not call you to renew your card. They communicate by mail. [3] If you get this call, hang up.

Scam #2: The "Free Knee Brace" Equipment Fraud

This one is widespread in WNY and has cost Medicare billions nationally. You may have already seen it in a slightly different form.

A caller — sometimes a robocall, sometimes a real person — offers you a free knee brace, back brace, or orthopedic support. They say it's "covered 100% by Medicare" and there's no cost to you. All they need is your Medicare number to "process the order."

Sometimes they follow up with a brief phone "medical consultation" with someone who calls themselves a doctor or nurse. This consultation creates the paperwork that justifies the billing.

What actually happens: a piece of low-quality equipment you didn't need and often didn't even request shows up at your door. Medicare gets billed $500 to $2,000 for it. The "company" collects the payment and disappears. Your Medicare account is now connected to a fraudulent supplier.

Warning signs:

  • Unsolicited offers for free medical equipment over the phone.
  • Anyone claiming to be a Medicare representative offering equipment without a referral from your own doctor.
  • A very short "consultation" call that seems designed to check a box rather than actually assess your health.

What to do: If you didn't ask your own doctor for this equipment, don't give your Medicare number to anyone calling you about it. If a brace shows up at your door that you didn't order, refuse the delivery or return it unopened.

Scam #3: Genetic Testing Fraud

This is the newest and fastest-growing Medicare fraud scheme in the country, and it has been documented in Western New York.

A representative contacts you at a senior center, a community event, a church, or even through the mail. They offer a "free" genetic test for cancer risk, heart disease, or Alzheimer's. They may set up a table at a public location and collect cheek swabs. In exchange, they just need your Medicare number.

Your Medicare account then gets billed $5,000 to $10,000 for laboratory services. The results — if they ever come — are often meaningless or designed to sell you supplements or additional services.

The Federal Trade Commission and the OIG have flagged this as one of the top three Medicare fraud schemes nationally. [1]

Warning signs:

  • Genetic tests offered for free at public locations, senior centers, or faith communities.
  • Pressure to provide your Medicare card on the spot.
  • Promises that Medicare "fully covers" genetic testing without a referral from your doctor.

What to do if you already gave your information: Don't panic — act quickly.

  1. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and report that your number may have been compromised.
  2. Contact the New York SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) hotline: 1-800-333-4374. They can help you monitor your account and file an official complaint.
  3. Review your Medicare Summary Notice (the statement you receive quarterly) for any services you don't recognize.
  4. Contact the NY Attorney General's senior hotline at 1-800-771-7755 to file a state-level fraud report. [4][5]

    5. How to Check Your Medicare Account for Fraud

    You don't have to wait for a paper statement. Go to MyMedicare.gov and create or log into your account. You can see claims that have been billed to Medicare on your behalf — often within days of when they were submitted.

    If you see a claim for equipment, a lab test, or a doctor visit you don't recognize, report it immediately. Erie County seniors who catch fraud early are far more likely to have fraudulent charges removed without long-term impact to their coverage.

    The Buffalo-area office of New York State's Senior Action Council is also a strong local resource. They offer free one-on-one help reviewing Medicare statements and filing complaints.

    What Medicare and the Government Will Never Do

    Knowing these rules can stop a scam before it starts:

    • Medicare will never call you to verify your number or renew your card. [3]
    • Medicare will never offer you free equipment or services over the phone without a referral from your doctor.
    • The Social Security Administration will never suspend your Medicare over the phone.
    • Legitimate government agencies will never ask you to pay a debt using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

    If a caller asks for any of these things, you are talking to a scammer. Hang up. You owe them nothing.

    Reporting Medicare Fraud in Buffalo

    • 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — National Medicare fraud hotline, available 24/7
    • NY SMP Hotline: 1-800-333-4374 — Free help monitoring your account and filing complaints
    • NY Attorney General Senior Hotline: 1-800-771-7755 — State-level fraud reporting [4]
    • FBI Buffalo Field Office: 716-856-7800 — For large-scale or organized fraud
    • Erie County Department of Senior Services: 716-858-8526 — Local resource navigation

    Sources

    1. [1] Federal Trade Commission, "FTC Issues Annual Report to Congress on Agency's Actions to Protect Older Adults" (2025). Older adults (60+) lost $2.4 billion to fraud in 2024, a 400% increase from 2020. ftc.gov
    2. [2] Federal Trade Commission, "New FTC Data Show Big Jump in Reported Losses to Fraud: $12.5 Billion in 2024" (March 2025). Imposter scam losses to government impersonators reached $789 million. ftc.gov
    3. [3] Medicare.gov — Medicare does not call beneficiaries to ask for personal information. medicare.gov
    4. [4] New York State Attorney General Senior Hotline: 1-800-771-7755. New York State Office of the Attorney General.
    5. [5] SSA Office of Inspector General Fraud Reporting: 1-800-269-0271. oig.ssa.gov