Beware of Open Enrollment Scams!
This very informative Better Business Bureau article, appearing at Massachusetts’s The Berkshire Edge, discusses how scammers are very active during the so-called “Open Enrollment Period” which started on October 15th for Medicare beneficiaries and on November 1st for those using Healthcare.gov. Unfortunately, those willing to commit fraud to get at your money ramp up their activity during these times, but there are always some tell-tale signs for how to spot them. Of course, the general rule is to never give personal information to someone who calls you unsolicited, but remember too that honest insurers will never threaten to discontinue your benefits nor offer you a promotional gift to get your personal information. Your best reaction is to simply hang up on those who call out of the blue and try to sell you something or “help” you avoid losing your benefits. A very important list of “red flags” for how to spot a fraud attempt is shared in this article by the MA Better Business Bureau.