Scam alert
A Caller Says They're a State Representative Offering Insurance
Published · Arrives by a phone call
The short answer
A call claiming to be from a state representative and offering insurance or a subsidy is worth checking before you say yes to anything, even if the number on your phone looks like it is from your state. State representatives do not typically call residents directly to sell or offer insurance coverage. Hang up, then look up your actual state representative's office yourself and call the number listed on the state legislature's official website to ask whether the call was genuine.
What is happening
West Virginia's Attorney General said in September 2026 that its Consumer Protection Division had received reports of callers claiming to represent the State of West Virginia and offering insurance or other subsidies, using phone numbers spoofed to look like they were calling from in-state. The same office reported Medicare scams as the top complaint category for August, and described a newly reported tactic in which callers use video calls to claim the recipient has won a sweepstakes or lottery prize.
How to recognize it
- A caller says they are a state representative or work for the state, and offers insurance, a subsidy, or a benefit.
- The number on your phone looks like a real in-state number, which can be faked and does not confirm who is calling.
- You are asked for personal or financial information to 'confirm' your eligibility for the offer.
- A related call arrives by video and claims you have won a sweepstakes or lottery prize.
What to do instead
- Do not give personal or financial information to a caller offering insurance or a government benefit you did not apply for.
- Hang up, then look up your actual state representative or agency yourself, using your state legislature's official website.
- Treat a number that looks local or official as unverified—it can be spoofed regardless of who is actually calling.
- Be equally skeptical of a video call claiming you have won a sweepstakes or lottery prize.
If it already happened
Responding to one of these is common and understandable. These steps are what people usually take next.
- Contact your bank right away if you shared account information or sent money.
- If you shared a Social Security number or other personal details, start a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.
- Report it to your state Attorney General's consumer protection division and to the FTC.
- Watch your accounts and mail for activity or offers you do not recognize.
Common questions
- Do state representatives ever call residents about insurance or benefits?
- It is unusual for a state representative to personally call and offer to sign you up for insurance or a subsidy. Checking with the representative's actual office, through a number you look up yourself, is a reliable way to find out whether a call was genuine.
- The caller ID showed a local number. Doesn't that mean it's a real state office?
- No. Caller ID can be set to display almost any number, including one that looks like it belongs to a local or state office, so it is not proof of who is actually calling.
- What about the video call claiming I won a prize?
- Treat it the same way as an unexpected phone call: a genuine sweepstakes or lottery does not require you to pay anything or share personal details to claim a prize, on a video call or otherwise.
Practice this safely
Practice checking a caller who claims to represent a government office through a number you look up yourself, rather than the one that called you.
Every story is fictional. There is no timer, no score, and no real message, payment, or account.
Where this comes from
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This alert provides general educational information drawn from the sources above. It cannot determine whether a specific message you received is genuine, investigate an incident, or promise recovery or reimbursement.