FTC cautions seniors that paid search ads may masquerade as official Medicare sites
The FTC warned that scammers purchase top-of-search ads that look like official Medicare pages, urging users to verify sites during open enrollment.
In preparation for the Medicare Open Enrollment period running from October 15 through December 7, the Federal Trade Commission released a new advisory that scammers are buying top-ranked search advertisements that closely resemble official government sites such as Medicare.gov and Healthcare.gov. These paid placements use familiar logos and keywords, leading users to fake pages where they may be charged for non-existent plans or have their personal data stolen.
The FTC stresses that beneficiaries should go directly to Medicare.gov, use the toll-free numbers 800-633-4227 or 1-800-MEDICARE, and look for “Ad” or “Sponsored” tags and the.gov domain before providing information. Experts Michael Ryan and Alex Beene warned that the schemes exploit the uncertainty of enrollment season and can result in financial loss, fraudulent claims, and higher medical costs. The agency also recommends contacting State Health Insurance Assistance Programs or Senior Medicare Patrols for assistance and reporting suspected scams through Medicare.gov or the 1-800-MEDICARE line.
Why it matters
Scammers posing as Medicare officials can steal money and personal data, harming seniors during a critical enrollment window.
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