Open Enrollment is an important time to review your health insurance options, whether you’re enrolling in Medicare or shopping for Marketplace coverage. Unfortunately, it is also one of the busiest seasons for scammers.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently warned that scammers are buying online advertisements, creating fake websites, and impersonating trusted government agencies to steal personal information and financial data. Their goal is simple: convince you to hand over sensitive information before you realize you’re dealing with a scam. Read the FTC alert.
Why scammers target Open Enrollment
Millions of Americans shop for health insurance during Open Enrollment. That creates an opportunity for criminals to:
- Steal Social Security numbers.
- Collect Medicare numbers.
- Obtain banking or credit card information.
- Commit medical identity theft.
- Sell fake or misleading insurance plans.
Many scams begin with online advertisements, text messages, phone calls, or emails that appear legitimate.
9 warning signs of an Open Enrollment scam
1. The website isn’t a .gov website
Official Medicare information comes from Medicare.gov. Marketplace coverage is available through HealthCare.gov. Be cautious of websites with similar names or unusual web addresses.
2. You clicked a sponsored advertisement
Scammers often pay to appear near the top of search results. Before clicking, look for the small “Sponsored” or “Ad” label.
3. Someone contacts you unexpectedly
Unexpected phone calls, emails, or text messages claiming to represent Medicare or a health insurance company should raise concerns.
4. They ask for payment immediately
Pressure to pay immediately is one of the biggest red flags.
5. They request your Medicare number or Social Security number
Never provide personal information unless you initiated the contact through an official website or verified phone number.
6. The offer sounds too good to be true
Promises of “free insurance,” cash rewards, or benefits that seem unrealistic often lead to fraud.
7. They create urgency
Scammers frequently claim you’ll lose benefits unless you act immediately.
8. They pressure you to stay on the phone
Legitimate organizations allow you time to review information and verify who you’re speaking with.
9. The website asks for financial information before explaining the plan
Understand what you’re signing up for before sharing sensitive information.
How to stay safe
- Type Medicare.gov or HealthCare.gov directly into your browser.
- Look for “.gov” websites.
- Ignore unsolicited calls or texts.
- Verify phone numbers independently.
- Never rush into a decision.
- Review your bank and credit card statements regularly.
- Monitor your credit reports for suspicious activity.
What if you already shared your information?
If you think you’ve provided personal or financial information to a scammer:
- Contact your financial institution immediately.
- Monitor your accounts for unauthorized transactions.
- Place a fraud alert or freeze your credit if appropriate.
- Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- If Medicare information was involved, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.
Protect yourself during Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is a great opportunity to review your health insurance coverage, but it shouldn’t put your personal information at risk. Slow down, verify who you’re dealing with, and always use official government websites before providing sensitive information.
At People Driven Credit Union, we’re committed to helping members recognize fraud before it affects their finances. Staying informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family.
An Open Enrollment scam is a fraudulent attempt to steal your personal or financial information by pretending to offer Medicare or health insurance coverage.
Be cautious of unexpected calls claiming to be from Medicare. If you’re unsure, hang up and contact Medicare using the official phone number listed on Medicare.gov.
Use Medicare.gov or HealthCare.gov by typing the address directly into your browser instead of clicking advertisements or links in emails or text messages.
You can report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the scam involves Medicare, also contact 1-800-MEDICARE.
Stay vigilant. Protect your financial future.
People Driven Credit Union helps members recognize scams, protect their personal information, and respond to suspicious financial activity.
John Scharff is the Digital Marketing Lead at People Driven Credit Union, where he helps create clear, practical financial content for members and the communities PDCU serves. He focuses on making financial topics easier to understand, from loans and savings accounts to digital banking, fraud prevention, and everyday money management.
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