05/28/2026
RELEASE: State warns Medicare scammers target beneficiaries receiving new cards
STATE OF NEW MEXICO
Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor
Emily Kaltenbach, Cabinet Secretary
Antoinette Vigil, Deputy Secretary
Angelina Flores-Montoya, Deputy Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2026
ALTSD Contact:
Joey Long, PhD
Public Information Officer
[email protected]
State warns Medicare scammers target beneficiaries receiving new cards
Officials warn scammers exploit card reissuances to steal information
SANTA FE – New Medicare cards are arriving in mailboxes as part of a nationwide reissuance affecting 1.3 million beneficiaries – and state officials are warning residents that scammers routinely exploit these moments to steal personal information.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued updated Medicare cards with new Medicare numbers as part of an effort to improve security protections and reduce identity theft and fraudulent billing. Not all beneficiaries will receive an updated card. Official communications regarding replacement Medicare cards will arrive by mail only. Medicare does not require beneficiaries to activate new cards or pay any fee to receive them.
“Scammers often use moments like this to create fear and urgency in an attempt to steal sensitive information,” said Emily Kaltenbach, Aging department secretary. “As new Medicare cards begin arriving, it’s important that New Mexicans know what to expect and understand the warning signs of potential scams.”
Beneficiaries who receive a new Medicare card should update records with healthcare providers and insurance companies, securely destroy old cards, and monitor Medicare statements for suspicious activity or billing errors.
New Mexicans with questions or concerns about Medicare fraud or new Medicare cards can contact the New Mexico Senior Medicare Patrol program at 800-432-2080 or visit altsd.nm.gov.
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The New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) was established in 2004 to provide resources, connection and advocacy for seniors and adults with disabilities. The department oversees the state’s Area Agencies on Aging to elevate the quality of care at senior centers, offers advocacy through the Long-Term Care Ombudsman volunteer program, and provides intervention through the agency’s national award-winning Adult Protective Services. Additionally, ALTSD houses the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, which offers options counseling, education, and connection to resources. For more information about ALTSD, visit aging.nm.gov or follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram@NewMexicoAging.
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