BBB Warns of Health Insurance Scams
Fraudsters are using open enrollment to impersonate officials and steal sensitive consumer information.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Insurance
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The Better Business Bureau issued a warning regarding health insurance scams targeting consumers during critical open enrollment periods. Criminals are impersonating government officials and insurance brokers to harvest Social Security numbers, Medicare IDs, and banking details.
Why it matters
Scammers leverage high-pressure tactics and false deadlines to deceive individuals into disclosing personal information or paying for fraudulent services. These criminals often falsely claim that benefits are expiring or that new enrollment cards are required.
Official guidance confirms that legitimate Navigators and Assisters are legally prohibited from charging fees for plan selection support. Consumers should remain vigilant as scammers currently use free health screenings to perform illegal cherry-picking of applicants.
The players
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau is an organization focused on advancing marketplace trust by monitoring business practices and providing consumer warnings.
The details
Fraudsters frequently pose as government representatives, claiming to offer plans with superior benefits at lower costs to lure victims. Authorities remind the public that official agencies do not use unsolicited phone calls, text messages, or emails to request sensitive financial data.
Timeline
October 15, 2026 – December 7, 2026: Medicare open enrollment period.
November 1, 2026: Healthcare.gov Marketplace enrollment begins.
December 15, 2026: Deadline for coverage starting January 1.
January 1, 2027: Medicare Advantage open enrollment begins.
January 15, 2027: Deadline for coverage starting February 1.
Market Dynamics
The Better Business Bureau warning follows a pattern set by the Affordable Care Act consumer protection mandates, which aim to secure private health data during federal enrollment periods. This underscores the ongoing struggle to protect personal information within the complex landscape of public and private health insurance marketplaces.
Consumers should never provide banking details or government identification numbers to unsolicited callers claiming to represent Medicare or healthcare agencies. Protecting your personal financial assets requires verifying the identity of anyone offering insurance assistance through official channels only.
The takeaway
Always verify enrollment assistance through official government portals rather than engaging with unsolicited outreach. If a caller uses high-pressure tactics or demands payment for enrollment services, hang up immediately to protect your personal identity and financial security.
Further reading
Learn more about protecting your coverage and identifying fraud on the Insurance section of our site.
More information
To report suspicious activity or view current fraud reports, visit the BBB Scam Tracker reporting portal.
Live Poll
Do you trust unsolicited calls or messages claiming to offer better health insurance plans?
