Scambook Warns Consumers of Obamacare Scams
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 15, 2013 -- With the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, going into effect in October, there has been a significant increase in scammers taking advantage of those confused by the new changes in American healthcare policy. The FTC has found healthcare fraud to be on the rise and is expecting it to increase in the following months, leading to both fraud and identity theft.
Scambook, the Internet’s leading online complaint resolution platform, is offering tips to spot these scams and avoid them when making the switch to Obamacare.
“There's a lot of misinformation about how the Affordable Care Act will affect consumers' health care options,” said Kase Chong, Scambook's Director of Marketing. “Scammers are preying on this, often impersonating government health officials to defraud innocent Americans. To combat this, we urge the public to research what the Affordable Care Act actually does and doesn't do.”
Obamacare scams have been observed in the following four forms:
1. The Fake Obamacare Card Scam: When nearing October 1st, victims receive a phone call from a scammer who claims to represent the government, informing them that they need an “Obamacare card” to be eligible for the Affordable Care Act. Other scammers may offer it as an insurance discount card. In each scenario, the card can only be obtained by providing the caller with private personal information such as credit card information and Social Security numbers.
2. The Information Update Scam: In this rendition, fraudsters posing as Medicare officials call consumers to update or verify personal information, with consequences if they don’t comply. However, nothing in the Affordable Care Act threatens existing benefits or Medicare enrollees. Do not respond to cold-callers and contact your Medicare representatives directly.
3. Fake Coverage and Mandatory Payments Scams: This scam has taken on a variety of sub-versions including: the selling of fake healthcare coverage, the necessity of fees for the Affordable Care Act healthcare benefits to take effect, and even the threat of jail if the fake enrollment fees are not paid. Victims should never wire money via Western Union or send a prepaid card to unsolicited callers under any circumstances.
4. Fake Navigators Scam: To assist consumers with their transition into healthcare plans under the Affordable Care Act, the government is sponsoring the training and certification of “navigators” to help them. However, this program has not started yet. Scammers pretending to be “navigators” are calling consumers and asking for service fees upfront. When enacted, this will be free to the public.
Know How to Stay Protected
Scambook has recognized that many are falling for these scams as a result of a lack of understanding about the Affordable Care Act and what it really means.
By going online to HHS.gov/healthcare, individuals can learn about the Affordable Care Act and how it will affect current health insurance or what it means if they don’t already have insurance. Scambook TV also offers additional information about Obama Health Scams.
ABOUT SCAMBOOK
Scambook is an online complaint resolution platform dedicated to obtaining justice for victims of fraud with unprecedented speed and accuracy. By building communities and providing resources on the latest scams, Scambook arms consumers with the up-to-date information they need to stay on top of emerging schemes. Since its inception, Scambook has resolved over $10 million in reported consumer damages. For more information, visit scambook.com.
Judy Dixon, PMBC Group, (310) 777-7546, [email protected]
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