The FBI is warning against a new medical scam sweeping the nation.
Victims have been scammed out of thousands after being tricked into signing up for discounted medical insurance plans.
Through unsolicited calls, texts and emails from unknown businesses, fraudsters are offering special deals or reduced rates on medical insurance.
However, they do not provide any actual health insurance coverage and instead steal thousands of dollars from victims.
The FBI said: ‘Discount medical insurance scams involve misleading or fraudulent offers for medical insurance plans that promise reduced rates on legitimate medical insurance but do not provide any actual medical insurance coverage, resulting in millions of dollars in losses annually.
‘These scams often target people who are looking for more affordable healthcare options and use misleading tactics such as stating to be a legitimate medical insurance provider, pressuring people to sign up quickly due to time limited special rates or promising free services with hidden fees to lure people to sign up.’
According to the Federal Trade Commission, the con artists claim they are working for the federal government and either ask for your Medicare number or offer you an alternative insurance plan on a low rate.
The FTC noted that through these questions, the crooks attempt to gain access to either the victim’s Social Security number, financial account numbers or insurance information.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said in an official statement that many Americans have lost money through misleading or fraudulent offers for health insurance plans
About one in three Americans or 30 percent of Americans have been scammed in 2024 – losing about $1,600 per victim.
While it remains unclear how many Americans have lost their money through discounted medical insurance scams, over two million people have been victims of medical identity theft – a type of scam that involves using stolen information to bill insurance companies for services they didn’t receive.
The FBI has also warned that discounted medical insurance scams are running rampant in multiple states across the US.
In one such case, the FBI says a couple from Pennsylvania was pressured to sign up for a plan through what they believed was a ‘national provider’. The couple was told to act quickly or they would lose the temporarily discounted price.
However, following an emergency room visit and an appointment with their primary care physician, the couple found out they had been scammed after being told they were responsible for all medical bills because their services were not covered by their policy.
While in Maryland, a man fell victim after buying a policy and paying for the entire year up front, which he was told would cover his current providers and save him thousands of dollars.
But after needing emergency surgery, he discovered his insurance was not accepted and was left with a $7,000 medical bill.
In Washington state, a cease-and-desist order against a discount medical insurance company has already been issued after officials received over 100 complaints of fraudulent practices.
Quick Health, a fraudulent company misrepresented their plan coverage options and did not cover medical costs – leaving victims paying out of pocket in full for hospital bills.
Despite promises, victims did not receive refunds after cancelling their insurance plans and the company also made unauthorized charges to their bank accounts.
To protect yourself, the FBI says to verify that the plan is being offered by a reputable source and contacting current medical providers
To protect yourself, the FBI says to verify that the plan is being offered by a reputable source by contacting the state insurance commissioner or the Better Business Bureau.
Next, you should contact your current medical providers to determine if the plan you are considering is accepted by them.
‘Never pay for any of the offerings upfront before you’ve had a chance to review the policy thoroughly,’ the statement read.
Lastly, the FBI said: ‘If the company does not send policy documents, that is a sign of fraud. If policy documents are sent, be sure to review them to understand exactly what is offered by the policy.’
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