FBI Issues Urgent Warning For Nationwide Concern

The FBI has issued an urgent warning about a major scam that is sweeping the nation.

On Wednesday, the FBI sounded the alarm on a scam that involves offering vulnerable people fake discount medical insurance plans. The scam has already cost people millions of dollars across the country.

The FBI warned that the scam often begins with an unsolicited phone call, text, or email from someone posing as a representative of an insurance provider. The scammers then create a false sense of urgency by offering a limited-time deal or face missing out on reduced premiums. However, once the victims make the payments, no such coverage is ever put in place.

"The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warns the public of discount medical insurance scams. Discount medical insurance scams involve misleading or fraudulent offers for medical insurance plans that promise reduced rates on legitimate medical insurance but do not provide any actual medical insurance coverage, resulting in millions of dollars in losses annually," the FBI warning reads.

"These scams often target people who are looking for more affordable healthcare options and use misleading tactics such as stating to be a legitimate medical insurance provider, pressuring people to sign up quickly due to time limited special rates, or promising free services with hidden fees to lure people to sign up. A typical discount medical insurance scam begins with unsolicited contact via calls, texts, or emails from unknown businesses offering special deals or discounted medical insurance."

The FBI offered a list of several ways that people can protect themselves from the scam.

Always make sure the medical plan offered is from a reputable source, and that the company is licensed to operate in your state. The state insurance commissioner or the Better Business Bureau are good sources to verify the veracity of a plan.Verify with current providers that they accept the insurance plan you are considering.If no policy documents are sent, this could be a sign of a fraudulent plan. If policy documents are sent, review them and read the fine print. Understand exactly what is being offered before committing to anything.Don't pay anything upfront. Be cautious if a company asks for large upfront payments or seems to be pressuring you into making quick decisions.Do your own research. If the plan seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Anyone who believes they were the victim of a scam has been urged to file a report with the FBI's Internet Crimes Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.