Blog 169: No Scam Zone

By Leon Gill

Guest Writer

Leongill.leongill@outlook.com

Senior Citizens Protect Yourselves from Affordable Care Act Fraud

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning that convincing sounding callers are attempting to perpetrate healthcare insurance frauds on American citizens.  According to the BBB and Federal Trade Commission, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) (“Obamacare”) scams are especially targeting the elderly, people with disabilities, and owners of small businesses.  Since the launch of the ACA, residents nationwide are finding themselves targets of ACA scams.

The scams come in many forms—such as e-mails, phone calls, and imposter websites.  Some rely on ignorance about what the ACA law actually covers, such as touting that recipients could qualify for cheaper auto insurance. Hint: The ACA does not affect car coverage.  Most of the scams are in reality designed to steal from people.  The official government sanctioned website for ACH is: Healthcare.gov. (https://www.healthcare.gov/)

In North Carolina if someone calls you on the phone offering you discount health insurance at $29.00 a month, hang up and report them to the North Carolina Department of Insurance.  Beware of scammers who may try to persuade you to buy insurance outside of HealthCare.gov.  

The Legal Consumer author at www.legalconsumer.com  provides the following list of common “Obamacare” scams:

·       The “Obamacare Card.” No such card exists.  If anyone tries to sell such a thing, it’s a scam.

·       Unidentified callers asking for sensitive personal information.  Watch out for scammers claiming to be from the federal government who request information such as bank routing numbers, your Medicare ID, your social security number, or even credit card numbers.  If a government official calls you, they will not ask for this information because they already have it.

·       Arrest Threats.  If you get emails, phone calls, faxes, or test messages saying you could be arrested for failure to purchase health insurance, it’s a scam.  Even if you break the law by going without health insurance, you won’t be arrested.

·       Cheap Insurance.  Be alert to fake websites, faxes, or other communications promising insurance for prices too good to be true.  As mentioned above, if someone tries to sell you “Obamacare” insurance for $29.00 per month, ignore them—or better yet, report them.

·       Imposter navigators and counselors. The ACA created funding for trained “navigators” and certified application counselors to help you purchase health care insurance.  Scammers have already begun to prey on senior citizens and low-income individuals by falsely claiming to be navigators and extracting personal information from confused citizens.  If you want to work with navigator or counselor, look for one at an established community organization (such as a health clinic) and ask to see their certification.

If you think someone has tried to scam you, alert the North Carolina agency that regulates insurance:  The North Carolina Department of Insurance at www.ncodi.com or call toll free at 888-680-7684.  The department can also be contacted via email at ncshiip@ncdoi.gov.

          Don’t be fraud victim! Protect yourself and your love ones.