Obamacare: Jackpot For Thieves

Officials Warn That ‘Fraudsters Are Poised… To Steal Americans' Credit Cards, Social Security Numbers, And Other Personal Information’
McConnell: Americans Deserve Guarantee Of Personal Data Security

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, in a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Monday, told the administration that no Americans should be forced on to the government’s health care exchanges, particularly when the government is missing testing deadlines and cannot guarantee the security of personal and financial data.

• Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY): “While I believe we ought to repeal this law and replace it with commonsense reforms that lower cost, Americans ought to be assured, at an absolute minimum, that their personal and financial data will be safe from data thieves.” (Sen. McConnell, Letter To Marilyn Tavenner, CMS Administrator, 8/12/13)

‘A Huge Opportunity For Swindling People’

“As the debate rages over who benefits from the Affordable Care Act, one thing is becoming clear: The controversial program is a dream come true for rip-off artists. Consumer experts warn that the program has created a huge opportunity for swindling people by stealing their money and their sensitive personal information.” (“Obamacare Is Coming, And So Are The Con Artists,” CNBC, 8/15/13)

• “‘There are fake exchanges already up and running on the Internet,’ said Monica Lindeen, Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. ‘If you do a search and type in 'exchange,' you'll find all sorts of websites that claim to be in the exchange when they are not.’” (“Obamacare Is Coming, And So Are The Con Artists,” CNBC, 8/15/13)
• “Fraud.org reports that some victims have been persuaded to wire money or send funds via prepaid debit card to get their full benefits.” (“Obamacare Is Coming, And So Are The Con Artists,” CNBC, 8/15/13)
• “The FTC already has issued a consumer alert about one telemarketing scheme, in which impostors claiming to be from Medicare told consumers they needed to hand over their personal or financial information in order to continue eligibility because ‘change is on the horizon.’” (“Get Ready For Scams Preying On 'Obamacare' Confusion,” McClatchy, 7/21/13)
• “The Federal Trade Commission said dozens of consumers have reported fraud since last summer's Supreme Court ruling upholding the law, and officials predict widespread abuse when enrollment begins in October.” (“National Healthcare Reform Sparks Concern About Scams,” Los Angeles Times, 7/20/13)

“The national health reform law is expected to open the door for identity theft and insurance scams when millions of uninsured Americans begin enrolling in coverage this fall, officials and advocates warn.” (“National Healthcare Reform Sparks Concern About Scams,” Los Angeles Times, 7/20/13)

“Implementation of the Affordable Care Act will provide fertile ground for con artists…” (“Health Care Scammers Find Inventive Ways To Rip Us Off,” The Commercial Appeal [TN], 8/10/13)

“Get ready for scams preying on 'Obamacare' confusion … as the Oct. 1 deadline to open health care exchanges approaches, health care scams are on the rise again.” (“Get Ready For Scams Preying On 'Obamacare' Confusion,” McClatchy, 7/21/13)

“Fraudsters are poised to take advantage of widespread confusion over the Affordable Care Act -- also known as Obamacare -- to steal Americans' credit cards, Social Security numbers and other personal information, consumer advocates and government officials say. ‘This is the huge, new government program. There's no doubt in my mind that the fraudsters view it as an opportunity to rip people off,’ said Lois Greisman, associate director for the Federal Trade Commission's division of marketing practices.” (“Get Ready For Scams Preying On 'Obamacare' Confusion,” McClatchy, 7/21/13)

• “A con artist can claim to be anyone, for instance a ‘navigator’ who can help you apply for coverage through an exchange. They gain your trust and then ask for personal information to buy nonexistent policies.” (“Obamacare Is Coming, And So Are The Con Artists,” CNBC, 8/15/13)
• “Fraud concerns also have been raised about verifying applicants' incomes, citizenship, household sizes and other information that may not be available through other government data sources.” (“Critics Say Health Care Law May Tempt Subsidy Applicants To Lie About Benefits,” McClatchy, 8/5/13)

“The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, a Washington-based nonprofit, has issued a national alert and has been working closely with the federal government and the media to get the word out, said spokesman James Quiggle. ‘The sea change in how America provides health insurance has created a breeding ground for so-called Obamacare swindles,’ he said.” (“National Healthcare Reform Sparks Concern About Scams,” Los Angeles Times, 7/20/13)

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