Complete Story
 

06/09/2026

Searching for health insurance? Keep scrolling to avoid government impersonators

FTC

When you search online, do you click the first result you see? You’re not alone. But that habit could cost you — especially if you’re searching for health insurance or government healthcare programs like Medicare.

Sometimes dishonest businesses pay to place ads at the top of search results that look like official government websites. They’re designed to trick you into sharing personal information, paying unnecessary fees, or signing up for misleading services. That’s why you might want to view more than just the top search results. Here’s what it can look like when you’re dealing with an impersonator, from a case the FTC settled with MediaAlpha:

You search for “aca insurance”:

More Info

Printer-Friendly Version