Scam library · Phone calls · Government impostor · Seniors
Health insurance and ACA enrollment scam
An ad or call says you qualify for a $0 health plan plus a cash card for groceries. Just share your details and the agent will handle everything.
Some agents switch people's health coverage without real consent to collect commissions. Others are scammers collecting personal information.
Real help enrolling in a Marketplace plan is free, and you stay in control of your application.
What the message looks like
From: Social media ad: '$0 health insurance + $6,400 cash card'
You may qualify for a $0 health plan and a $6,400 subsidy card for groceries and rent!
Call now. Limited time. Licensed agents standing by.
How this scam works
HealthCare.gov warns consumers to protect themselves from fraud in the Marketplace, including people who claim to be from the government, ask for payment to enroll, or pressure you to share personal details.
Unscrupulous brokers have enrolled people in plans or switched their coverage without permission, sometimes leaving them with unexpected tax bills when subsidies don't match their real income.
Ads promising cash cards or 'subsidy checks' are a common hook. Health insurance subsidies go toward premiums, not cash.
Open enrollment periods bring more calls and ads. Scammers may also impersonate Medicare or insurance companies.
You can check your own Marketplace application and enrollment by logging in to HealthCare.gov or your state's marketplace. If something changed that you didn't approve, report it.
Red flags
- Promises of cash cards or checks.
- Being enrolled or switched without your clear approval.
- Requests for payment to enroll.
- Calls claiming to be from the government.
- Pressure to share Social Security numbers quickly.
- Agents who ask you to understate or overstate your income to get a bigger subsidy.
How to tell it’s fake
- Log in to HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace to check your plan.
- Use the official Find Local Help tool to find assisters.
- Never pay to enroll in a Marketplace plan.
- Ask agents for their license number and check it with your state.
- Be suspicious of any agent who won't let you see or approve your application before it's submitted.
What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info
Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.
If you clicked a link or called back
- Hang up or ignore the ad. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you paid
- If you paid, contact your card issuer and report to the Marketplace.
If you shared personal info, a password or a code
- If your plan was changed without permission, call the Marketplace Call Center and report it. Watch for identity theft.
Where to report and get help (U.S.)
If a message seems legit and you’re still not sure, get a second opinion before you act. Reporting helps stop scammers, even if money can’t be recovered. If you are in danger, call 911.
- Your bank or card issuer
Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and to watch the account. - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report the scam and get a step-by-step recovery plan. - FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · ic3.gov
Report scams that happened online, especially if money was lost. Include phone numbers, websites and payment details. - AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline · aarp.org helpline
Free, for anyone of any age: trained volunteers help you sort out next steps. 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. - IdentityTheft.gov · IdentityTheft.gov
If you shared your Social Security number or someone opened accounts in your name.
How Gmork Scam Guard would warn you
Scam Guard in Chrome and Edge on your computer checks health insurance ads and enrollment sites. It recognizes fake government pages and cash card offers. If a plan seems legit, a scam expert can check it with you.
Scam Guard can miss things, so the checks above still matter. See what it warns about and what it keeps private.
Questions people ask
- Are cash card subsidies real?
- No. Marketplace subsidies lower premiums.
- How do I check my enrollment?
- Log in to HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace.
- Is it free to enroll?
- Yes. You don't pay to enroll.
- My plan was switched. What now?
- Call the Marketplace Call Center and report it.
- Will I owe money if my plan was switched without permission?
- You could face surprises at tax time if subsidies were based on wrong information. Report it to the Marketplace right away and ask for help correcting your application.