Jeffrey Wade
If you've been receiving calls from the Consumer Insurance Association or the Consumer Insurance Bureau, you may be the target of a scam. In 2018, several people reported receiving calls from the Consumer Insurance Association, with the caller offering to save them money on their insurance. Texas officials also warned of a similar scam in 2019, in which callers offered reduced auto insurance costs and asked about current coverage. This scam involved an attempt to get victims to reveal personal information for identity theft. If you receive a call from an unknown number, it is best not to answer, as your number may be registered as live and you may receive more spam calls in the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Consumer Insurance Association |
| Type of Scam | Insurance scam |
| Targeted Consumers | Residents of Texas, Older people |
| Frequency of Calls | Multiple times a day, Every day |
| Callers' Offer | Reduced auto insurance costs |
| Caller's Request | Current insurance coverage, Personal information |
| Action Taken | Blocking the numbers |
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What You'll Learn
It's likely a scam
There have been multiple reports of scam calls from a group claiming to be the Consumer Insurance Bureau or Consumer Insurance Association. These calls often offer to lower insurance costs, particularly for auto insurance, and ask about current coverage. In reality, the Consumer Insurance Association is not a licensed insurance company or agency in certain states, such as Texas. By offering attractive insurance deals, these scammers aim to trick unsuspecting individuals into revealing personal information that can be used for identity theft.
If you receive a call from the Consumer Insurance Bureau or Association, it is advisable to hang up immediately. Do not provide any personal information, such as your address, birth date, Social Security number, or bank account details. Be cautious of any unsolicited calls offering insurance deals, especially if they ask for your personal information or try to pressure you into making impulsive decisions.
To protect yourself from potential scams, it is recommended to follow a few simple guidelines. Firstly, avoid answering calls from unknown numbers. Secondly, if you do answer, refrain from following their prompts or providing any personal details. Instead, ask the caller for their license information to verify their authenticity. For instance, if you reside in Texas, you can request the caller's Texas insurance license number.
Additionally, be wary of frequent calls from different phone numbers. Scammers often employ robocall technology and automatic dialers to mask their identities and circumvent blocked numbers. If you notice a pattern of similar scam calls from various numbers, it is best to block them and refrain from answering in the future. Remember, legitimate businesses will not repeatedly call you from multiple numbers if you have blocked their previous attempts.
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They want to sell you insurance
If you've been receiving calls from the Consumer Insurance Bureau, it's possible that they are trying to sell you insurance. While the specific nature of their call might vary, here are some possibilities and potential actions you can take:
The Consumer Insurance Bureau could be reaching out to offer you a new insurance policy or an extension of an existing one. They might want to inform you about their latest products, promotions, or discounts. For instance, they could be promoting a new auto insurance plan with added benefits or a discounted rate for bundling home and auto insurance. If you've never heard of them or are not interested in their offerings, it's best to thank them for the information and politely decline. You can ask them to remove your number from their calling list to prevent further interruptions.
Another possibility is that they are calling to upsell or cross-sell additional insurance products. For example, if you already have a basic health insurance plan, they might try to convince you to upgrade to a more comprehensive package or add supplemental coverage for dental or vision care. If this is the case and you're not interested in expanding your current coverage, simply inform them that you're happy with your current plan and request that they don't call you again for sales purposes.
Sometimes, insurance companies acquire new clients by purchasing leads from third-party companies. Your information could have been acquired this way, and they are now trying to turn you into a customer. If you're getting frequent calls and are concerned about your privacy, you can ask how they obtained your contact information. If they refuse to provide an answer or one that satisfies you, you can lodge a complaint with your local consumer protection agency or the Federal Trade Commission.
Lastly, they might be conducting telemarketing campaigns to target new customers or retain existing ones. These calls might be more frequent during promotional periods or when they are launching new products. If you feel that their calls are becoming a nuisance, you can block their number or register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry, which will prevent most telemarketing calls to your number.
Remember, while it's important to be courteous, you have the right to decline their offers and request that they respect your privacy. You can also inquire about how they obtained your information and take appropriate steps to ensure your contact details are removed from their calling lists if necessary.
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They want your personal information
If the Consumer Insurance Bureau is calling you to get your personal information, it could be a scam. Scammers may pretend to be insurance companies and call you multiple times a day, from different phone numbers, offering insurance plans to save you money. They may even collect premiums and your personal information but never deliver the promised coverage.
If you give out your personal or financial information, scammers can use it to commit identity theft. They may use a fake insurance policy to steal your personal information or sell your identity on the black market. If you are an older person, you may be targeted more than younger consumers as scammers believe seniors to be more vulnerable and susceptible to scams.
If you receive a call from the "Consumer Insurance Bureau", do not follow the prompts or give out any personal information. Ask the caller for information, including their name, the company's name, address, and business license number. If they refuse to provide this information, it is likely a scam.
You can block the numbers that are calling you and report the scam to your local adult protective services agency or the Federal Trade Commission. You can also put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry by calling (888) 382-1222.
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You've answered their calls before
If you've answered their calls before, your number was registered as "live", which means they've placed it on a list of numbers to contact again. This is why you may be receiving calls from the Consumer Insurance Bureau.
Robocall technology and automatic dialers have made it easier for scammers to reach potential victims. If you seem to be getting more spam calls than ever before, it's likely because of technological advances that have given scammers an advantage. According to an AARP survey, nearly half of the respondents said they received seven or more robocalls per day.
If you live in California, you may receive even more health insurance spam calls than consumers in other parts of the country. California's health insurance open enrollment period is about twice as long as most other states, giving scammers more opportunities to prey on residents.
To stop these calls, you can register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry. However, scammers may not always respect this, so call blocking is your best defence. You can also contact a TCPA lawyer to help determine if you might have a claim under the law.
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You're a senior citizen
If you're a senior citizen and you're receiving calls from the Consumer Insurance Bureau, it's important to be cautious. While some calls might be legitimate, there are also many scams targeting older individuals, assuming they are more vulnerable and susceptible to deceitful tactics.
- Be wary of unsolicited calls: If you don't know the number, let it go to voicemail. If it's important, they will leave a message. You can also use call-blocking technology to prevent unwanted calls from reaching you.
- Never give out personal information: This includes addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords. Legitimate organisations will not ask for this information over the phone.
- Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true: If someone calls offering reduced insurance costs, it might be a ploy to obtain your personal information or money. Always ask for their license number and verify their identity.
- Hang up if you feel uncomfortable: If a caller is pushy or aggressive, end the call. You have the right to be respectful and firm, stating that you are not interested.
- Report suspicious calls: If you believe you have received a scam call, report it to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Consumer Protection Bureau. You can also contact your local police or sheriff's office using their non-emergency number.
Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry. If something feels off about a call, trust your instincts and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from potential scams or identity theft.
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Frequently asked questions
The Consumer Insurance Bureau is likely calling you to scam you. They may offer you reduced insurance costs and ask about your current coverage. They may also try to collect your personal information and never deliver the promised coverage. It is best to block the number and not provide any personal information.
Scammers will often use technology to hide where they are calling from and may call from different numbers. They may also pretend to be from a government agency or insurance company. If you are getting called multiple times a day, it is likely a scam.
If you get a call from the Consumer Insurance Bureau, it is best to hang up and block the number. Do not provide any personal information, such as your address, birth date, Social Security number, or bank account number.
You can register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. You can also use call-blocking apps, which are available for Android, BlackBerry, iOS, and Windows devices. Additionally, you can try to avoid answering calls from unknown numbers.
