Consumer Alerts

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has encountered a wide variety of scams in which fraudsters use technology to impersonate official government personnel from HHS or OIG. These scammers target individuals through various methods, including phone, email, or social media in an attempt to obtain money or personal, medical, or financial information. Scammers may claim they need information to settle a debt, verify medical claims, or to provide grant money. Once these criminals have your personal information, they will use it to steal money from you or commit fraud.

The public should remain vigilant for such scams. OIG cautions the public against sending money or sharing personal, medical, or financial information with unknown individuals who claim to be government officials. If you believe you have been the target or victim of a scam in which someone impersonated HHS or HHS OIG officials, please report this contact to the HHS OIG Hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or online.

Fraud Alert: Genetic Testing Scam: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about a fraud scheme involving genetic testing.
Fraud Alert: Nationwide Brace Scam: The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, with our law enforcement partners, announced in April 2019 our efforts in dismantling one of the largest healthcare fraud schemes ever investigated, in terms of amount billed to Medicare.
Fraud Alert: HHS OIG Telephone Numbers Used in Scam: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General confirmed that HHS OIG telephone numbers are being used as part of a telephone spoofing scam targeting individuals throughout the country.
New Fraud Scheme Targeting Families of Unaccompanied Children: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about a new fraud scheme that preys on the families of unaccompanied migrant children entering the United States.; Alerta de Fraude en Español
Consumer Fraud in the Health Insurance Marketplace: The Affordable Care Act creates the Health Insurance Marketplace, which is a place to buy health insurance. As always, consumers need to be able to shop for health insurance without being defrauded by criminals taking advantage of a new program. Don't become a victim in the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Fraud Alert for People with Diabetes: Criminals who plot to defraud the Government and steal money from the American people have a new target: people with diabetes. Although the precise method may vary, the scheme generally involves someone pretending to be from the Government, a diabetes association, or even Medicare, calling you. Learn more.
Alert: Fraudsters Impersonate Government Officials: The Office of Inspector General (OIG) alerts the public to a new scheme: receiving "government grant money" as an incentive for paying taxes on time and providing personal or financial information. This scheme involves contact (by phone, email or letter) from someone pretending to be from a government agency, such as the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Learn more.
Medical ID Theft/Fraud Information: Medical identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information (like your name, Social Security number, or Medicare number) to obtain medical care, buy drugs, or submit fake billings to Medicare in your name. Medical identity theft can disrupt your life, damage your credit rating, and waste taxpayer dollars. Learn more.