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Insurance scams: how to tell a real plan from a trap

Editorially reviewed · Last updated July 16, 2026

Insurance scams almost always start the same way: an unsolicited call, text, or ad promising cheap “comprehensive” coverage, a free health screening, or a government subsidy — then pushing for your Social Security number, Medicare number, or a card. No real insurer or agency cold-calls to “pre-qualify” you and take your SSN. Here's how each version works, and how to check a plan is real before you share anything.

Fake health-insurance and ACA “enrollment” calls and texts

The most common version is a call or text saying you've been “pre-qualified” for a $0-premium plan or a “government subsidy,” with a closing-deadline push to lock it in — if you just verify your Social Security and Medicare numbers and a card.

  • The tell: real ACA coverage is bought at HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace, where you start the process yourself. Agencies don't cold-call for your SSN, and “pre-qualified $0 plan” is a marketing hook, not how enrollment works.
  • What to do: hang up, and if you want coverage, go to HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace yourself. See the full breakdown in our health insurance scam call guide.

Medicare and “new card” scams

Callers pose as Medicare offering a “new card,” a refund, or a benefit — then ask for your Medicare number to “verify” you. Medicare never calls uninvited to ask for that number, and your card doesn't need “reactivating.”

  • The tell: anyone phoning to collect your Medicare number is harvesting it for fraudulent billing or resale.
  • What to do: hang up and, if unsure, call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself. Full guide: Medicare phone scam.

Auto-warranty “your car's warranty is expiring” calls

The classic robocall — “this is your final notice about your vehicle's extended warranty” — is an insurance-adjacent scam that sells worthless service contracts or harvests your details and payment.

  • The tell: they rarely know what car you drive, and a real warranty provider doesn't robocall you with a “final notice.”
  • What to do: don't press a key, hang up, and see auto-warranty call scam.

Fake “free screening” and “free gift” hooks

A “free health screening,” a “free back or knee brace,” or a “free gift for seniors” is often just a way to get your Medicare or insurance ID number, which is then used to bill for equipment or services you never received.

  • The tell: nothing is free if it requires your Medicare number, SSN, or a card to claim.
  • What to do: never give an insurance or Medicare number to claim a “free” offer from someone who contacted you.

How to check a health plan or insurer is real

Before you share anything or pay, verify independently:

  • Buy ACA coverage only at HealthCare.gov or your state's official marketplace — type the address yourself.
  • Check any insurer or agent with your state insurance department (find yours through the NAIC consumer directory). A licensed company and agent will be listed.
  • Verify a broker independently. If someone “helping” you enroll called or texted first, find the company's real website yourself and confirm they're who they say — never enroll through a link or number they sent.
  • Never share your SSN or Medicare number with an inbound caller, and never pay by gift card, wire, or crypto for insurance.

This page is money-adjacent — if you've already shared personal details, the fastest way to limit the damage is our protect yourself steps.

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Stop the next one at the source

You got this because your details are on lists that get bought, sold, and leaked. You can't unspill that, but you can make it useless to a scammer. Start with the free steps — they do most of the work.

Optional — if you'd rather it was handled for you

If you'd rather have it watched for you, an identity-protection service monitors your accounts, SSN, and the dark web, warns you the moment something new appears, and helps you recover if someone gets through.

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Frequently asked

What are the most common insurance scams?
The consumer ones that target you (rather than industry claim fraud) fall into a few buckets: fake health-insurance or ACA “enrollment” calls promising a $0 plan or subsidy; Medicare “new card” or refund calls that fish for your Medicare number; auto-warranty “final notice” robocalls; and “free screening” or “free gift” offers used to harvest your insurance ID. All of them push for your SSN, Medicare number, or a card.
Is a “you're pre-qualified for a $0 health plan” call or text real?
No. No real insurer or government agency cold-calls or texts to “pre-qualify” you for a free plan and then asks for your Social Security or Medicare number. Real ACA coverage is bought at HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace, where you start the process. Treat any unsolicited “$0 premium” or “government subsidy” offer as bait to harvest your details or sell junk coverage.
How do I check that a health plan or insurer is real?
Buy ACA coverage only at HealthCare.gov or your state's official marketplace, typing the address yourself. Verify any insurer or agent through your state insurance department (via the NAIC consumer directory) — a licensed company will be listed. If a broker contacted you first, find their real website independently before sharing anything, and never enroll through a link or number they sent you.
I gave a caller my SSN or Medicare number — what should I do?
Treat it as identity theft and act now. Get a free recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov, consider a credit freeze, and watch for medical bills, claims, or accounts you don't recognize. Report Medicare fraud at 1-800-MEDICARE and file with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

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