FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
November 25, 2013
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG STRANGE ISSUES CONSUMER ALERT WARNING OF
SCAMS SURROUNDING OBAMACARE IMPLEMENTATION
(MONTGOMERY) – As part of a program to periodically offer consumer awareness
notices, Attorney General Luther Strange today issued a consumer alert warning of fraudulent
attempts to steal identification information after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act,
also known as Obamacare. The Attorney General’s alert provides details of how consumers may
protect themselves and how to safely access legitimate information about health care and
insurance programs.
“As Attorney General, I am committed to protecting the people of Alabama from scams
and fraud,” said Attorney General Strange. “One of our most effective weapons is to stop these
crimes before they happen, through consumer education and prevention. My Consumer
Protection Section handles complaints and inquiries from the public about numerous issues, and
works hard to help them resolve their problems. In doing so, we develop many good tips and
information that we want to share so that consumers may be informed and implement good
practices for their protection.”
In today’s consumer alert, Attorney General Strange tells consumers that the only two ways
to sign up for healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act is through its website,
www.healthcare.gov, or by calling 1-800-318-2596. Consumers should not use any other website
or hotline, should not give out any personal information to anyone who contacts them and should
not pay anyone to help them.
The only approved insurance providers for Alabama through online federal marketplaces
are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and Humana. Other insurance policies that meet minimum
requirements of the Affordable Care Act may be offered online by private insurance companies.
Consumers may verify legitimate insurance carriers by contacting the Alabama Department of
Insurance.
Please see the attached Consumer Alert for more information about how consumers may
protect themselves from fraudulent attempts related to the Affordable Care Act. This notice also
will be posted at the Attorney General’s website, www.ago.alabama.gov.
Suspicious websites or people claiming to be with The Affordable Care Act can be reported
to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section by visiting www.ago.alabama.gov or by
calling its toll-free hotline at 1-800-392-5658.
–30–
501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
