Wisconsin BBB Issues Urgent Warning: Scammers Are Targeting Medicare and Health Care Enrollees This Fall
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – The Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin is sounding the alarm this fall as open enrollment season begins — warning residents about health care scams that are tricking people into revealing Medicare, banking, or Social Security information.
Scammers Pose as “Helpful Agents” During Open Enrollment
The BBB says con artists are calling, texting, or emailing consumers pretending to represent Medicare or Healthcare.gov, offering to “help” them find better coverage at lower rates.
These impostors often claim they can secure a “new plan” with more benefits — but to start the process, they ask for personal details such as a Medicare ID number, Social Security number, or even bank account information.
One Wisconsin resident told investigators a caller posed as a government agent, saying, “I need to confirm your card number for your new Medicare update.”
Another person received a text message warning that their health benefits were “about to expire” and was told to call a number to renew coverage — only to be pressured for payment verification.
“That’s when I knew it was a scam,” the consumer said.
How to Protect Yourself From Enrollment Season Scams
The BBB shared key advice to help consumers stay safe during the 2025 open enrollment period:
- Be wary of unsolicited contact. Real Medicare and Healthcare.gov representatives will not call or text you first.
- Don’t pay for “help.” Certified Navigators and Assisters offer free enrollment support — anyone asking for money is a scammer.
- Avoid offers of free gifts or health screenings. These are often bait to collect your Medicare ID or personal data.
- Never share government-issued numbers. Keep your Medicare ID, Social Security number, and bank details private unless you initiated contact.
- Use official websites only. Go directly to Medicare.gov or Healthcare.gov to manage coverage — never click links in random texts or emails.
“Even during open enrollment, your personal information is the most valuable target for scammers,” the BBB warned.
BBB and Medicare Officials Urge Vigilance
The BBB says it receives an uptick in scam reports each year during October through December, when people are most likely to change or review their insurance coverage.
Medicare and the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have also reminded beneficiaries to hang up immediately if someone pressures them to make a quick decision over the phone.
Anyone who suspects fraud can report it through the BBB Scam Tracker or by contacting Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.
Stay alert, protect your identity, and make changes to your health plan only through official government channels this enrollment season. For more community safety and consumer alerts, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.