Have you been called by someone claiming to be from the Consumer Insurance Association? We looked into this mysterious entity and found answers about this scam for you! Keep reading to know what to do if you get called.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand how to identify insurance scams like the Consumer Insurance Association.
What Is the Consumer Insurance Association?
The Consumer Insurance Association is a scam, and Texas’ Department of Insurance has issued a warning to consumers. The association may list well-known insurance companies when calling but is not licensed to sell insurance.
The Consumer Insurance Association has a website, but it’s just a landing page with a phone number. Anyone can purchase a domain and run a website, so don’t be fooled. Legitimate business websites for insurance will have enough website features or information to conduct business online.
Why Is the Consumer Insurance Association Calling Me?
Scammers like the Consumer Insurance Association are likely trying to gather personal information to use or sell. They claim to have offers to lower insurance rates and may ask about current coverage in an attempt to gather your information.
Pro Tip: It’s important not to give out personal information to unverified callers since it could lead to identity theft! If you suspect someone is impersonating a financial or insurance institution, hang up and call them back using a legitimate number from an insurance card or official website.
What Should I Do If I Get a Call from the Consumer Insurance Association?
If you get a call from the Consumer Insurance Association, the most important thing to do is keep your personal information private. Anyone with legitimate insurance offers will be licensed to sell insurance in your state.
Do not provide unknown or unverified callers with any of the following:
- Your full name
- Birthdate
- Address
- Social Security Number
- Payment information such as bank accounts or credit cards
You can also handle unwanted calls following these steps from the Federal Trade Commission’s advice.
- Add your phone number to the Do Not Call Registry. This will prevent most legitimate, unsolicited telemarketing calls.
- Since scams circumvent the Do Not Call Registry, block scam numbers.
- Download a call-blocking app
What Phone Number Does the Consumer Insurance Association Use?
The Consumer Insurance Association may use or mimic a phone number from any state. Some recipients have also reported the call originating from 800 or 888 numbers.
Pro Tip: If you get a call from a 1-800 number or 1-888 number, realize these types of phone numbers are easily created for scamming people! Always be cautious!
What is the Consumer Insurance Bureau?
Each state within the United States has a division that functions as a Consumer Insurance Bureau or Department of Insurance. This government agency performs a legitimate role in insurance regulation. Do not confuse these government entities with the Consumer Insurance Association, which is a scam.
Each State’s Department of Insurance provides consumers with important information and protections.
- Inform consumers about insurance requirements for the state
- Verify licenses for insurance agencies and companies
- Investigates complaints filed by residents against licensed insurance companies
- Issues consumer alerts
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I answer a scam call?
If you suspect a scam call, do not provide personal or financial information. Hang up immediately and avoid answering questions or selecting menu options. You can also report unwanted calls.
How do I know if a phone number is a scam?
Since scam calls can mimic any phone number, it’s sometimes hard to tell if it’s a scam by looking at the caller ID. You can get a robocall-blocking app to help cut back on scams.
Resources
Federal Trade Commission (2021, May 1). How to Block Unwanted Calls. Consumer.ftc.gov. Retrieved January 10, 2023, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-block-unwanted-calls
Insurance Journal (2019, October 9). Texas Regulators Warn of Auto Insurance Phone Scam. Insurancejournal.com. Retrieved January 10, 2023, from https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2019/10/09/545033.htm
Jesse Cunningham V is a professional writer and licensed insurance agent. He has worked in the insurance industry in different capacities, starting as a customer service representative and working his way up to an independent agency owner. He is licensed in the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania for Property, Casualty, Life, and Health products. Jesse has worked with many national carriers, including Nationwide, State Farm, Travelers, and Liberty Mutual, and specializes in car and home insurance and health, life, accidental death, and disability insurance. He writes for multiple publications including FIXD and Bauple.com. All articles by Jesse are opinion-based. Speak with your licensed insurance agent about the particulars of your insurance before making any decisions.
