AVOIDING MARKETPLACE SCAMS

In today’s modern digital world, it has become the default expectation for most everything we do to be done either online or over the phone. And with that it can be very easy for bad actors to sneak themselves into your life without your knowledge. 

For millions of Americans, the federal Marketplace (or the State-based Exchange) is where they go to get health insurance, but it's not always easy, nor safe when you're doing it alone. I am a big proponent of using a trusted agent to guide you and keep you safe, but there are still ways you can fall prey to scams. 

So… here are 11 considerations to keep you safe from scams revolving around Marketplace coverage:

1. Don't be deceived by marketing ads you see on social media and other places. Remember, the marketer’s job is to get you to act, NOT tell you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Oftentimes advertisers use questionable advertising (at best) or false advertising (at worst) to get you to click a button, or fill out a form. Examples I've seen include offering extra government stimulus, free money from the insurance company, using celebrity voices (always done without the celebrity’s knowledge or consent). Use discretion when viewing ads.

2. If you’re being called (or texted as is often the case), sometimes they’ll say they’re with [insert very generic-sounding company/department] - probably just a made-up word phrase. Other times they’ll even deceive by saying your Marketplace account is in error, not finished, they don’t see it, something's wrong, etc. Or worse, they’ll come right out and say they’re with the Marketplace. If you don't know who's calling you (by name, agency, or phone number) then it's probably not reliable information.

3. Avoid non-official websites that ask you to fill out your personal information. Be very careful about what the website name is! With today’s technology, it is quick and easy to create an "official looking” website.  And once you give them your personal information, whoever has it can use it however they want. To make matters worse, it is often the case that the bad actors don't get in any trouble (even with a filed complaint) because the letter of the law protects them. Why?! Because you voluntarily gave them your information (by filling out their form), and (unknowingly) you gave them consent you wanted health insurance on some form you filled out.

4. Make sure you know what you’re signing, and why. This is always good advice, but especially so when dealing with someone new where trust is being established. If you already have a Marketplace agent you work with and someone else is asking you to sign something, then know you're changing agents along with anything else they changed.

5. Avoid thinking of an agent (or agency) as a temporary solution to a temporary dilemma  - needing help getting insurance, fixing what was previously done on your Marketplace application, updating lifestyle changes, etc. Oftentimes this thought process leads to viewing us agents as interchangeable. You might ask “Whats the difference between one agent and another?” Same as a mechanic, or a plumber I suppose. They’re all the same in one sense, but different in quality. Some are just better, more knowledgeable, and/or more honest than others. Someone that is fresh to the business might only regurgitate the information they were fed, whereas someone with decades of experience should have a larger, more mature perspective. 

6. Use ONE agent (or one Agency) that you can build a relationship with long term. Consider, when you have someone prepare / file your taxes, does it make more sense to use only one person/company that you trust to do it, or several different people that do not communicate with each other?  If your agent is not meeting your needs, then feel free to move to another agent, but only to find one you can use long term. Ideally someone with a lot of experience in the field already. 

7. Be very weary about doing business on a website, or over the phone, with people that need your SSN or other forms of  identity verification. Just because they “say” they’re with such and such company, doesn't mean they are. It is far too easy to believably pretend.

8. Avoid being pushed. If the other person is pressuring you to make a decision, or perhaps generally rude or inconsiderate, don't feel bad about letting them know you’re not interested and then hanging up. You deserve to be respected for your time. And you deserve having someone reliable on your team that will listen and advise accordingly and patiently.

9. Though a thick accent alone is not a determining factor, it can be a minor factor when added to other yellow flags, so use discernment. If someone in another country gets ahold of your information, it is no longer in the jurisdiction of the United States.

10. Does it sound like they're reading a script? If so, they probably are. And, thus, they are not “experienced” enough in dealing with real people to just listen or speak. They are likely not the actual agent anyway, but rather work for them. These kinds of people are sure to only tell you what they’ve been told to say, which can sometimes be only half-true.

11. Find out what the email and phone number(s) are of the Agent (or Agency) you work with, and then save them in your phone. This way you know who's calling you, as well as you know who to call. (Pro tip: in the 'notes' section of the contact card, type in who this person is to you - ex: “My trusted health insurance agent / agency” - that way you have a reminder in case you forget.)

Keep in mind there are bad actors in every industry under the sun. Health insurance is no exception to this sad reality. But there are also very good and honest ones too. With just a little effort on your part you’ll be able to steer clear of questionable actors, and enjoy the benefits of an experienced and knowledgeable one.