FTC Warns Consumers That ‘Free MyChart Medicare Kit’ Offer Is a Fraudulent Scheme

The Federal Trade Commission has alerted the public that a purportedly free "MyChart Medicare Kit" being promoted online is a scam designed to harvest personal information and charge unsuspecting consumers.

According to documents obtained by Gizmodo, the fraudulent campaign presents the kit as a complimentary resource for Medicare beneficiaries, promising enrollment assistance and health‑record access. Victims are typically directed to fill out extensive forms that request Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and insurance details, after which they are either billed for nonexistent services or have their data sold on the black market.

The FTC’s complaint filings indicate that a growing number of individuals have reported being duped by the scheme. Complainants describe receiving aggressive marketing emails and pop‑up ads that mimic the branding of legitimate health‑care portals, only to discover that the promised kit never materialized and that they were left with unauthorized charges or identity‑theft concerns.

MyChart itself is a legitimate patient‑portal platform operated by various health systems to let patients view test results, schedule appointments, and communicate with providers. It is not affiliated with the Medicare program, and there is no official "MyChart Medicare Kit" offered by the government or by the portal’s providers. The scammers exploit this familiarity to lend credibility to their pitch.

Health‑related scams have surged in recent years, especially targeting seniors during the annual Medicare enrollment window. Fraudsters often capitalize on the complexity of the system and the urgency many feel to secure coverage, making deceptive offers appear attractive. The FTC has repeatedly warned that scammers may use the names of trusted institutions to lure victims.

Consumers are urged to verify any Medicare‑related offers directly through official channels such as Medicare.gov or by contacting their health‑care provider. The FTC advises against sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited sources and encourages reporting suspicious activity to the agency’s complaint portal. Ongoing investigations may result in enforcement actions against the operators of the fake kit scheme, underscoring the importance of vigilance in protecting personal health data.