The Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) issued a bulletin on May 15, warning consumers to be aware of the risk of insurance fraud and online scams.
According to the bulletin, scammers may send fraudulent emails, texts or messages that look convincing enough to steal personal and financial information from victims. Scammers may also impersonate legitimate organizations to gain trust, which can lead to financial losses and identity theft.
Insurance fraud can take many shapes, according to CID, but common examples include fake insurance companies or agents collecting money for non-existent policies, unlicensed individuals selling non-legitimate insurance products, and phishing attempts requesting payment or personal details.
Warning signs of these scams include unexpected payment requests, urgency in messages and offers that are much cheaper than usual rates. Difficulty verifying a company’s or agent’s identity or license is also a red flag.
To protect against these schemes, CID stresses the importance of pausing and verifying any unsolicited requests before responding. CID also recommends avoiding clicking on links from unknown sources and taking care not to share personal information without confirming the request's legitimacy.
Always contact insurance companies directly using official contact information and check their license status online, CID adds. Consumers should also report and delete suspicious messages, while watching their financial accounts for any unauthorized activity.
If you think you have been targeted, you can contact the CID’s Consumer Affairs Division by emailing [email protected] or calling 860-297-3900.