Scam library
Fake health insurance
An insurance offer takes your money or information while providing little or none of the promised coverage.
What it looks like
Fictional example: Full medical coverage for $39 monthly, with a grocery allowance. Enroll now at example.com/health-plan.
Fictional example: Pay our enrollment fee today to activate your benefits. We will send the policy details afterward.
How it works
A marketer presents a discount membership, limited benefit product, or nonexistent plan as comprehensive insurance. The pitch may focus on cash allowances or other extras while hiding coverage details. You pay fees or share sensitive information without receiving the protection you expected.
Warning signs
- The pitch emphasizes freebies instead of coverage and exclusions.
- You cannot review a policy or verify the insurer before paying.
- A discount membership is described as full insurance.
- Someone demands payment for official enrollment help.
If you got one of these
- Use healthcare.gov for official marketplace options and free enrollment help.
- Check the insurer and agent with your state insurance department.
- Ask for the policy, exclusions, provider network, and total cost in writing.
- Confirm new coverage before canceling an existing plan.
If you already paid or shared something
- Contact the insurer independently to check whether a real policy exists in your name.
- Ask your bank or card issuer about disputed charges and stopping recurring payments.
- Report to your state insurance department and reportfraud.ftc.gov; address exposed identity data at identitytheft.gov.
Who gets targeted
People shopping for health coverage, changing jobs, retiring, or looking for more affordable care.