Beware: Open Enrollment Is Prime Time for Scammers

Scam calls and texts are surging during Medicare and Marketplace open enrollment season, as fraudsters try to steal personal and financial information from consumers comparing health plans. From fake Medicare or Marketplace representatives to phishing emails and “too-good-to-be-true” plan offers, scammers use urgency, impersonation, and misleading messages to pressure people into sharing sensitive details.

Experts urge consumers to stay alert by refusing to share information with unsolicited callers, verifying all communications directly through official sources, and watching for red flags such as high-pressure tactics, requests for sensitive information, or unusual payment methods. Scammers often create a false sense of urgency, offer “free gifts” in exchange for Medicare numbers, or send links to lookalike websites designed to steal personal data.

To stay protected, only contact Medicare or Marketplace representatives through official channels, avoid clicking unknown links, guard your Medicare and Social Security numbers, and consider call-screening tools to filter spam. If something feels off, trust your instincts, slow down, and verify before acting and report any suspicious calls or messages to the FTC or your state Attorney General right away.