Don't Get Scammed! How to Protect Yourself in the ACA Marketplace
Getting health coverage through the ACA Marketplace is a smart move for your well-being, but it's important to be aware of potential scams and fraud. Sadly, bad actors sometimes try to take advantage of people seeking health insurance. The good news? Protecting yourself is easier than you think!
By following a few simple steps – Identify, Protect, and Report – you can navigate the Marketplace safely and secure the coverage you deserve.
Step 1: Identify Trustworthy Sources
The first line of defense against scams is knowing where to get reliable information.
Go to the Official Sources: Always get your health coverage information directly from official government websites. For the federal Marketplace, that's Healthcare.gov. If your state runs its own Marketplace, look for their official .gov website.
Be Wary of "Too Good to Be True" Offers: Stay highly alert for health insurance ads, especially on social media, that promise things like cash, gifts, or other extravagant perks just for signing up. If an offer seems unbelievably good, it's a major red flag. The information you share with these dubious sources could be misused or stolen without your consent.
Step 2: Protect Your Personal Information
Your personal and financial details are valuable. Treat them that way!
Don't Share Unnecessarily: Be extremely cautious about sharing sensitive personal information unless you are absolutely certain you are dealing with a legitimate and verified source.
Secure Your Online Marketplace Account: When setting up or logging into your Marketplace account, opt for the strongest security available. This often includes getting a unique, randomly generated security code sent to your phone or email each time you log in. This "multi-factor authentication" makes it significantly harder for someone to access your account, even if they somehow get your password.
Verify Who You're Talking To: If someone contacts you about health insurance and something feels off, don't hesitate to ask questions. If anything is unclear or doesn't sound right, be cautious. Never provide payment information, your Social Security Number, or other sensitive details unless you have fully verified the legitimacy of the person or entity contacting you. Official representatives will rarely, if ever, ask for gift cards or unusual payment methods.
Step 3: Report Suspicious Activity
If you encounter anything that seems fraudulent, reporting it quickly is key to protecting yourself and others. Don't ignore your instincts!
You should report suspected fraud or scams if:
Someone other than the insurance company you've chosen, or someone you don't know, contacts you about health insurance and asks you to pay – or asks for your financial or personal health information.
Someone contacts you and claims to be from the government (federal or state), the Marketplace, Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare – and asks you to pay or send them gift cards, cash, or cryptocurrency to get or keep coverage. Government agencies will never ask for payment in this way.
You give your personal health, bank account, or credit card information to someone who calls you and says they're from the government.
Someone calls, emails, or texts you asking for your information (like your Social Security Number) or for money (like credit card payments, gift cards, cash, prepaid debit cards, or cryptocurrency), or if they threaten you or anyone in your household with legal action.
You suspect identity theft, or feel like you gave your personal information to someone you shouldn't have.
What to do if you suspect a scam: Report any suspicious activity immediately to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
And most importantly, reach out to me, your insurance agent, immediately! I can look over your file to see if anything was changed, help you understand what happened, and assist you in reporting the fraud to the appropriate authorities.
Finally, inform the Marketplace Call Center (1-800-318-2596, TTY: 1-855-889-4325) to explain what happened. They can take appropriate next steps to protect your information and account.
By staying vigilant and knowing these steps, you can confidently navigate the ACA Marketplace and secure the health coverage you need without falling victim to fraud. Your safety and peace of mind are my priority!
