Consumer Tip of the Week: Beware of Medical Discount Scams (192 hits)
When you’re looking for affordable health insurance, promises of deep discounts on medical services, products and procedures may sound like a heaven-sent solution — especially if you recently lost a job or haven’t been able to get insurance. But the Federal Trade Commission wants people to know it may just be a medical discount scam.
Today, the FTC announced Operation Health Care Hustle, a crackdown on scammers targeting people in need of health insurance. They trick people into thinking they’re buying health insurance when it’s really a medical discount plan.
Read the press release at ftc.gov/opa/2010/08/hustle1.shtm. Also, visit http://ftc.gov/medicaldiscountscams -- where you can learn more about these scams and the warning signs to look out for, such as pressure to buy immediately or promises of specific discounts. You’ll also find out where to go to check out a plan before you buy.
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(I am an employee of the Federal Trade Commission.)
