What to know ahead of Open Enrollment to avoid health insurance scams
Scammers pose as health insurance providers or brokers during Open Enrollment, using paid search ads to trick you into clicking fake websites where they steal your personal information or money.
How it works
You search online for health insurance plans during Open Enrollment. Scammers pay to place ads at the top of search results that look like legitimate insurance sites. You click the ad, land on a fake website, and enter your personal information (name, Social Security number, bank details) thinking you are signing up for real coverage. The scammers then use that information to commit identity theft or bill you for bogus plans.
Red flags to watch for
- Search result ad looks almost identical to a real insurance company website but URL is slightly different
- Site asks for Social Security number, bank account, or payment before showing plan options
- No contact phone number listed or phone number does not connect to a real agency
- Pressure to enroll immediately or claim special limited-time offers
- Site does not have a working chat or customer service
What to do
Go directly to official Medicare.gov, Healthcare.gov, or your state's Marketplace website by typing the URL yourself, not by clicking search ads. Be skeptical of ads claiming huge discounts or free coverage. If you call a number from a search result, hang up and call the official agency directly using the number on its verified website. Report suspicious sites to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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Source: FTC. Scam Sentinel summarizes official guidance in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.