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Protect yourself from Marketplace fraud & scams

When you apply for health coverage through the Marketplace, help keep yourself safe from fraud and scams by taking a few simple steps: Identify, protect, and report.
Warning:
Say no to scams
Don’t share your personal information or give money to anyone saying you have to pay them to keep Medicaid or CHIP coverage or apply for Marketplace coverage. The Marketplace,
organizations, and your state will never threaten you or anyone in your household or ask for your credit card information or payment to keep or qualify for health coverage.

Step 1: Identify trustworthy sources

  • Get health coverage information from official government websites, like HealthCare.gov, and print materials. Check for official government seals, logos, and web addresses ending in “.gov.”
  • Stay alert for scams. Be cautious of health insurance ads on social media offering cash, gifts, or other perks. The information you share could be used without your consent.
  • Get to know the Marketplace.
    • Compare insurance plans carefully before making your decision.
    • Add Marketplace Open Enrollment dates to your calendar. You can get or change a Marketplace health plan during
      , or if you qualify for a
      based on income or a
      .
    • Apply and enroll on HealthCare.gov. We're the official source for the Marketplace.
  • Connect with us or a trusted partner.

Step 2: Protect your personal information

  • Don’t share personal information – Social Security Number (SSN), banking, credit card, and account numbers, and personal health information (like your medical history or specific medical services you’ve gotten).
  • Don’t give money – Credit card payment, gift cards, cash, prepaid debit card, or cryptocurrency – to anyone claiming you must pay them to keep or apply for coverage. The Marketplace, assisters, and your state will never threaten you or your household or ask for your credit card information or payment to keep or qualify for health coverage.
  • Protect your online Marketplace account – Get a unique security code that’s randomly generated and sent to you each time you log in. This way, it’s harder for someone to access your account, even if they get your password.

    How will I get security codes?

    You can get the codes by:
    If you sign up for security codes in more than one way, we'll ask you where we should send the code each time you log in so you can choose what works best for you.
    We can't respond to replies to security codes. For help setting them up or logging into your account, contact the Marketplace Call Center.
  • Make sure someone is who they say they are – Ask questions if anything is unclear or doesn’t sound right, and don’t provide payment information. (You’ll pay your premiums directly to the plan, not anyone else.)

    What should I look out for?

    • Watch out for scammers. They may email, text, or come to your home uninvited, and claim they're from the Marketplace.
    • If someone contacts you, keep a record of their name, who they work for, phone number, street and mailing addresses, email address, and website. Don't share personal information until they give you a Privacy Notice Statement and you read it and agree. 
    • Sometimes we may call you to confirm information on your application. We'll never ask you for payment to apply for or keep coverage.

    What should I do if someone calls me?

    Before you share information, confirm the call is from the Marketplace, not a scammer. It'll come from 1-855-997-1890 or 844-477-7500. (Caller ID: Health Insurance MP or InsMarketplace.) The caller will say they're from the Marketplace and give their first name and agent ID number. Write them down. They may leave a voicemail. After 3 tries, we'll send you a letter. 
    Notice:
    Check that the caller works for the Marketplace
    Ask their name, employer details, contact information, and proof of training completion from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Write this down and compare it to any letter you got from the Marketplace.
    After you confirm the caller is with the Marketplace, they may ask about your application (application ID, birth date, Social Security Number (SSN), contact information, and household/employment details). They won't ask about your finances (bank or account number), health history, and Marketplace account.
    If you're unsure or don't want to share information over the phone, hang up and contact the Marketplace Call Center, or ask them to mail you a letter.

Step 3: Report suspicious activity

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, your state, Marketplace, Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare – and asks you to pay or send them gift cards to get or keep coverage.
  • 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 asking for your information (like your SSN) or for money (like credit card payment, gift cards, cash, prepaid debit card, 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.
Report any suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission. Also, contact your local police department and the Marketplace Call Center to explain what happened. We’ll take the appropriate next steps to protect your information.

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