News

Scammers Out to Profit on U. S. Supreme Court’s Ruling on the Affordable Care Act

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

FTC Consumer Alert
Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection Division of Consumer & Business Education

Scammers Out to Profit on U. S. Supreme
Court’s Ruling on the Affordable Care Act

It’s enough to make you sick. No sooner had the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the Affordable Care
Act than scam artists began working the phones. Claiming to be from the government, they’re saying
that under the Affordable Care Act, they need to verify some information. For example, they might
have the routing number of the person’s bank, and then use that information to get the person to reveal
the entire account number. Other times, they have asked for credit card numbers, Social Security
numbers, Medicare ID, or other personal information.
The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, cautions you not to give
out personal or financial information in response to unsolicited phone calls, emails, or knocks on your
door. Scam artists want your information to commit identity theft, charge your existing credit cards,
debit your checking account, open new credit card, checking, or savings accounts, write fraudulent
checks, or take out loans in your name.
If you get a call from someone who claims to be from the government and who asks for your personal
information, hang up. It’s a scam. The government and legitimate organizations with which you do
business have the information they need and will not ask you for it. Then, file a complaint at ftc.gov
or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP. If you think your identity’s been stolen, visit ftc.gov/idtheft or
call 1-877-ID-THEFT. You also can file a complaint with your state Attorney General.
For more information about the federal health care law, visit HealthCare.gov.
The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and
to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free
information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357);
TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a new video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more.
The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database
and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S.
and abroad.

July 2012

ftc.gov

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