Press Release, Dec. 6, 2018 - Consumer Alert: Phone Solicitation for Health Insurance Plans

​Last Updated: December 6, 2018

For more information contact: Elizabeth Hizmi, Public Information Officer, (608) 267-9460 or elizabeth.hizmi@wisconsin.gov

Consumer Alert: Phone Solicitation for Health Insurance Plans

Madison, WI—The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) is alerting Wisconsin consumers of a potential scam involving an aggressive telemarketing campaign attempting to sell health insurance plans.

Since the start of open enrollment, November 1, 2018, complaints have been received by OCI from consumers receiving multiple phone calls, robocalls, and text messages from the National Health Enrollment Center or Healthcare Enrollment Center. Claimants report being contacted multiple times a day, often from different phone numbers, despite requests to be placed on the companies' do-not-call lists.   

Wisconsin consumers who have received persistent phone calls or text messages from these or other callers attempting to sell them health insurance are encouraged to file a complaint with:

• Federal Trade Commision (FTC)

• Phony calls about health insurance: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/spot-health-insurance-scams​​

• Submit a Consumer Complaint to the FTC: www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/submit-consumer-complaint-ftc

• Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

• Visit datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx
• Or call DATCP's Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.

Prevent Yourself from Being a Victim of Fraud

• The best way to protect yourself from insurance fraud is to research the agent and company you are considering.

• Stop before paying for anything, signing any paperwork, or providing any personal information.

• Do not provide telemarketers with your bank account number, your social security number, your credit card number, or your personal health information. If you are asked to provide this information, hang up.

• Confirm the company and agent are licensed to operate in Wisconsin. Licensing information can be found on OCI's website at oci.wi.gov, or by calling OCI at (800) 236-8517.

Created by the Legislature in 1870, Wisconsin's Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) was vested with broad powers to ensure that the insurance industry responsibly and adequately met the insurance needs of Wisconsin citizens. Today, OCI's mission is to lead the way in informing and protecting the public and responding to its insurance needs.