$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
free medical brace robocall scam
A robocall offers a free knee brace, back brace, or other medical device covered by Medicare, then collects your Medicare number and personal information for fraudulent billing.
“robocall”
↑ 126%Key indicators
Usually targetsOlder adults
Often hitsHealthcare workers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$120 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~10%
Annual reports50,000
Scam breakdown
1
Robocallers target older adults with offers of free medical braces supposedly covered by Medicare.
2
Those who accept provide their Medicare number and personal details.
3
Scammers bill Medicare for expensive durable medical equipment the patient does not need, committing healthcare fraud.
What to do first
Never give your Medicare number to unsolicited callers.
Related terms
Medicare brace scamfree knee brace robocallDME phone scamRobocall scamsPhoneRisingOlder adultsPhone usersHealthcare workersRetirees and seniorsImmigrants and visa holdersUnited StatesMedicare brace scamfree knee brace robocall
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
David, 35, a older adults, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate robocall scams situation while using Phone. Robocallers target older adults with offers of free medical braces supposedly covered by Medicare.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Those who accept provide their Medicare number and personal details.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Scammers bill Medicare for expensive durable medical equipment the patient does not need, committing healthcare fraud.
The outcome
David realized something was wrong when unsolicited call offering a free medical brace or device paid for by medicare. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never give your Medicare number to unsolicited callers. David's experience shows why unsolicited call offering a free medical brace or device paid for by medicare and caller asks for your medicare number to process the 'free' order are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Unsolicited call offering a free medical brace or device paid for by Medicare
- Caller asks for your Medicare number to process the 'free' order
- You have not spoken to your doctor about needing a medical device
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Never give your Medicare number to unsolicited callers.
- ✓Medical devices should only be prescribed by your own doctor — not offered through robocalls.
- ✓Report suspected Medicare fraud to the HHS OIG at 1-800-447-8477.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The HHS Office of the Inspector General has identified durable medical equipment fraud — including unsolicited brace offers — as a top Medicare fraud scheme.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓Never give your Medicare number to unsolicited callers.
- ✓Medical devices should only be prescribed by your own doctor — not offered through robocalls.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The HHS Office of the Inspector General has identified durable medical equipment fraud — including unsolicited brace offers — as a top Medicare fraud scheme.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Older adults, Phone users
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Phone — Robocall scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Older adults are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The HHS Office of the Inspector General has identified durable medical equipment fraud — including unsolicited brace offers — as a top Medicare fraud scheme.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about free medical brace robocall scam
How does the free medical brace robocall scam work?+
Robocallers target older adults with offers of free medical braces supposedly covered by Medicare. Those who accept provide their Medicare number and personal details. Scammers bill Medicare for expensive durable medical equipment the patient does not need, committing healthcare fraud.
What are the warning signs of free medical brace robocall scam?+
Unsolicited call offering a free medical brace or device paid for by Medicare Caller asks for your Medicare number to process the 'free' order You have not spoken to your doctor about needing a medical device
What should I do if I encounter free medical brace robocall scam?+
Never give your Medicare number to unsolicited callers. Medical devices should only be prescribed by your own doctor — not offered through robocalls. Report suspected Medicare fraud to the HHS OIG at 1-800-447-8477.
Who is most at risk for free medical brace robocall scam?+
This scam primarily targets Older adults, Phone users. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Phone.
Is free medical brace robocall scam on the rise?+
free medical brace robocall scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.