Fake Medicare Websites Buying Google's Top Spots
What's happening: The FTC warned on September 28, 2026 that scammers are paying to appear at the top of Google search results with sites that look like Medicare.gov — just as Medicare Open Enrollment began (Oct 15 – Dec 7). Protect yourself: scroll past the ads, make sure the address ends in .gov, or type Medicare.gov into your browser yourself.
The warning
Ahead of Medicare Open Enrollment, the Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer alert titled "What to know ahead of Open Enrollment to avoid health insurance scams" (September 28, 2026). Its core message, in the FTC's own words:
"Remember: scammers and dishonest businesses sometimes pay to appear at the top."
The scam works like this: you search Google for "Medicare" or "Medicare plans." The very first results — above the real sites — are paid ads from scammers. Their websites use official-looking logos and web addresses designed to look like Medicare.gov or HealthCare.gov. If you click and call the number on that site, the FTC says you could end up paying for a plan that isn't real health insurance — or handing over enough personal information for medical identity theft.
Why now
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026 — the one window each year when you can change Medicare plans. Scammers know millions of seniors are comparing plans right now, and they know many start with a Google search. The FTC's alert was timed for exactly this season.
How to protect yourself (30 seconds)
- Scroll past the ads. Look for the small "Ad" or "Sponsored" label at the top of search results — skip everything carrying it.
- Check the address ends in .gov. The real sites are Medicare.gov and HealthCare.gov. Anything else claiming to be official isn't.
- Type it yourself. Don't click a search result at all — type Medicare.gov directly into your browser's address bar, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
- Never share your Medicare number with a website or caller you didn't seek out yourself.
Already clicked or shared information?
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) right away and tell them what happened.
- Check your Medicare statements for charges or services you don't recognize.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov — your report helps investigators track these sites.
- For free, unbiased help comparing real plans, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at shiphelp.org.
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Check It Now — Free →Keep learning
- Medicare Open Enrollment Scams: 5 Red Flags — our full guide for this season.
- Fake Medicare Websites in Search Ads — the full guide: anatomy of a copycat site, the microchip card and video-call versions, and what to do if you already shared your number.
- Medicare & Social Security Phone Scams — the call and text versions.
- All Scam Alerts of the Week →
Sources: FTC consumer alert, "What to know ahead of Open Enrollment to avoid health insurance scams" (September 28, 2026); USA Today, "FTC warns Medicare scammers are buying their way into search results" (October 12, 2026); FTC Chairman video statement (September 28, 2026). Published October 18, 2026.