Scam or NotScam No. 0042026-10-25
Is this text a scam?
SCAM
OOfficial Health Plan Center
Text Message · Today 9:41
Sponsored
Open Enrollment is here! Compare health plans, check your coverage, and see if you qualify for savings.
Enroll today at healthcare-gov-enroll.example
Or call (202) 555-0142
Recreated from the FTC Consumer Alerts post, which describes paid ads with lookalike government web addresses, official-looking logos, and a link or phone number inside the ad.
3 red flags
- RED FLAG 1Paid ad labelThat small Sponsored tag means someone paid to put this here.
Source: “Look for small “Ad” or “Sponsored” labels next to search results to identify paid ads.” link - RED FLAG 2Lookalike web addressScammers use web addresses that look a lot like government ones.
Source: “Bad actors often use web addresses that look similar to government website addresses.” link - RED FLAG 3Number in the adCall that number and you might pay for a plan that isn't insurance.
Source: “If you use the link or phone number in the ad, you might end up paying for a scammy plan that’s not health insurance, or expose yourself to medical identity theft.” link
Safe move
Type the site yourself
Skip the ad and type the real website's name into the search engine yourself.
Source: “Type the name of the website directly into the search engine.” link
Skip the ad and type the real website's name into the search engine yourself.
Source: “Type the name of the website directly into the search engine.” link
Send this to the one who'd tap it.
Watch the video Play today's round More from Scam or Not