Healthcare & Medical Scams
Healthcare and medical scams prey on health concerns and the cost of care. They include fake health insurance and discount plans, rogue online pharmacies, miracle cures and supplements, overpriced or fake medical devices, and phishing that impersonates patient portals, Medicare, or health agencies. Beyond financial loss, they risk your health and expose sensitive medical and identity data.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited offers of cheap insurance, medication, or cures
- Miracle or guaranteed health claims
- Requests for health, identity, or payment details
- Pressure to enrol, buy, or verify immediately
- Providers and pharmacies you cannot verify
Healthcare scam guides
Dental Plan Scam
In this scam, a cheap 'dental plan' or discount card is sold with broad promises, but it is worthless or not accepted anywhere, taking your payment and personal details.
Medical Alert Device Scam
In this scam, robocalls or ads offer a 'free' medical alert device to seniors, often claiming a relative ordered it, then trap you in costly monitoring contracts or harvest payment and personal details.
Clinical Trial Scam
In this scam, a fake paid clinical trial or medical study offers generous compensation, then charges a registration or screening fee, sends an overpayment cheque, or harvests sensitive health and identity data.
Hearing Aid Scam
In this scam, cheap or 'free trial' hearing aids and fake free hearing tests are advertised to seniors, then deliver faulty or useless devices, hidden charges, or high-pressure upsells.
Telehealth Prescription Scam
In this scam, a fake telehealth or online doctor service offers quick prescriptions or consultations, takes payment and sensitive health data, then provides no real care, unsafe medication, or nothing at all.
Fake Online Pharmacy Scam
In this scam, fake online pharmacies advertise cheap prescription medicines without a prescription, then deliver counterfeit or unsafe drugs, nothing at all, or simply harvest card and health details.
Miracle Weight-Loss Scam
In this scam, miracle weight-loss pills, teas, or devices promise dramatic results, often using fake celebrity endorsements and 'free trials' that lock you into costly recurring charges for products that do not work.
Fake COVID Test & Kit Scam
In this scam, fraudsters sell fake or non-existent COVID test kits, or send phishing messages about results, certificates, or free kits, to harvest payment, personal, and health details.
Prescription Refill Phishing Scam
In this scam, texts, calls, or emails pose as your pharmacy about a prescription refill, asking you to confirm payment, personal, or health details through a link or caller, to harvest data or take payment.
Fake Genetic Testing Scam
In this scam, callers or ads offer free genetic or DNA testing for health risks, collecting your insurance, identity, and a DNA sample to bill fraudulently or harvest sensitive data, often targeting seniors.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a health provider or pharmacy is genuine?
Why are miracle cures a warning sign?
Is my health data valuable to scammers?
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