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.

Consumer Alert: Urinary Catheter Scams

HHS-OIG is alerting the public about a fraud scheme involving Durable Medical Equipment (DME), specifically urinary catheters.
Consumer Alert: Remote Patient Monitoring

This scam involves signing up Medicare enrollees for remote patient monitoring (RPM). Legitimate RPM involves using medical devices to remotely monitor for anomalies in patients with chronic medical conditions.
Consumer Alert: Fraud Schemes Targeting Native American Communities in Behavioral Health Treatment Centers

HHS-OIG is alerting the public about fraudulent activities aimed at members of Native American communities in relation to behavioral health outpatient treatment centers (OTCs).
Fraud Alert: Scammers Steal Money From the Public Through Fake HHS Websites and Social Media Schemes

HHS-OIG is alerting the public to a fraud scheme that uses social media and fake websites to steal money from individuals by offering fake HHS grants.
Fraud Alert: COVID-19 Scams

HHS-OIG is alerting the public about fraud schemes involving COVID-19.
Fraud Alert: Genetic Testing Scam

HHS-OIG is alerting the public about a fraud scheme involving genetic testing.
Fraud Alert: Nationwide Brace Scam

HHS-OIG, with our law enforcement partners, announced in April 2019 our efforts in dismantling one of the largest healthcare fraud schemes ever investigated.
Fraud Alert: HHS-OIG Telephone Numbers Used in Scam

HHS-OIG telephone numbers are being used as part of a telephone spoofing scam targeting individuals throughout the country.
Fraud Scheme Targeting Families of Unaccompanied Children

HHS-OIG is alerting the public about a fraud scheme that preys on the families of unaccompanied migrant children entering the United States.
Consumer Fraud in the Health Insurance Marketplace

Don't be a Victim of Consumer Fraud in the Health Care Marketplace. Beware of people asking for money to enroll you in Marketplace or "Obamacare" insurance. Legitimate enrollment assisters will NOT ask for money.
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.
Alert: Fraudsters Impersonate Government Officials

This scheme involves contact by phone, email, social media (such as Facebook) or letter from someone pretending to be from a government agency, such as the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Medical Identity Theft

Medical identity theft is when someone steals or uses your personal information (like your name, Social Security number, or Medicare number), to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and other health insurers without your authorization.