Health insurance phone scams are becoming increasingly common, especially during open enrollment season. Scammers have developed crafty tricks to impersonate government programs and legitimate insurance companies.
Fortunately, there are common warning signs to look out for that, when spotted, can help keep you safe.
Common Insurance Phone Scam Red Flags
You feel pressured to “act now,” or else miss out on a great deal.
Scam artists use this pressure to try to prevent you from taking time to think. They know that, if you took time to research the deal, you’d quickly figure out it was a trick.
The caller seems legitimate, but something feels off.
Today’s technology allows scammers to imitate legitimate phone numbers, making it seem that they are calling from a real company. If something about the caller feels weird, trust your gut and end the call. If the policy is real, you will be able to call the insurance company directly to ask questions, at a phone number you know is legit.
The plan being offered seems too good to be true.
If the deal is significantly cheaper than anything else on the current market, you should sense a giant red flag warning you to double check the identity of the caller. A little research can save you from lots of headaches down the road.
Our previous blog has information on verifying an insurance broker’s license, including tips to avoid health insurance scams of all types.
The caller quickly asks for sensitive information.
You should be wary about sharing personal information with unknown callers. If asked to provide information like your Social Security number or Medicare ID, you should double check that the caller is not a scammer. The easiest way to do this is to hang up and call the company directly at a known contact number.
Important Reminder
Remember: trustworthy health insurance providers will give you time to review the offers they present you. You will not be rushed to reveal personal information or to present payment, and they will be willing to answer any questions you may have about their deals.
