Greg's Corner

Scammers Targeting Open Enrollment

By Greg Collier

As open enrollment ramps up across the country, the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers to a growing wave of fraudulent outreach targeting those updating Medicare or Healthcare.gov coverage. Although the warning originated in Wisconsin, the tactics being reported are not confined to any one state. Similar scams can occur nationwide whenever enrollment periods open and consumers are more likely to engage with unfamiliar contacts.

The scheme typically begins with an unsolicited phone call or text message offering to assist with switching to a supposedly better or cheaper plan. The caller often insists that coverage is expiring or that immediate action is required. Once trust is gained, the individual is asked to confirm personal details such as a Medicare ID number or Social Security number. Some scammers go as far as verifying existing addresses to appear legitimate before advancing to sensitive questions.

Reports show that these contacts can sound convincing. In some cases, the caller pretends to be checking on delivery of a new Medicare card. In other instances, text messages urge the recipient to call immediately to prevent cancellation of benefits. Once the conversation shifts toward payment requests or demands for account verification, the deception becomes clearer, although not always before harm occurs.

What makes these scams particularly dangerous is what happens afterward. Stolen Medicare and Social Security numbers are not left unused. They can be employed to submit fraudulent medical claims in the victim’s name or redirect benefits without consent. In some cases, scammers initiate unauthorized plan changes that interfere with legitimate coverage. What begins as a brief interaction can lead to months of identity recovery, financial disputes, and corrections to medical records.

The BBB emphasizes that legitimate assistance with plan enrollment is available through official channels only when the individual reaches out first. Licensed representatives for Healthcare.gov or Medicare are not permitted to charge for enrollment support and will not initiate contact unexpectedly. Any offer that relies on urgency, pressure, or promises of incentives in exchange for personal data should be seen as a serious warning sign.

Even offers that appear generous, such as complimentary health screenings or gifts for switching plans, may be tactics designed to collect private information or filter out individuals based on health status. Some brokers try to identify only healthy applicants to manipulate their client pool, which is prohibited by Medicare rules.

Consumers are encouraged to avoid clicking on links in suspicious messages or responding to unfamiliar communications about benefits. When in doubt, it is safest to visit Medicare.gov or Healthcare.gov directly rather than relying on third parties. Those who receive unexpected messages regarding employer-provided benefits should confirm legitimacy with their workplace before taking any action.

Health care enrollment is already complex without the added risk of fraud. A cautious approach can prevent not only frustration but also long-term damage to personal identity, financial security, and access to care.