Madigan warns about health insurance scams

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is warning people shopping for health insurance on a new online marketplace not to become the victim of scam artists.

The new marketplace opened Tuesday in Illinois and other states across the country.

Madigan says scam artists may try to take advantage of the new program. Some may try to obtain personal and financial information to steal someone's identity. Others may try to sell fake health insurance plans.

The Chicago Democrat offered some tips.

She says consumers should never have to pay anyone to help them enroll in a health plan. Madigan also says anyone working with a specialist should make sure that person is certified. A list of certified specialists is on the Illinois Department of Insurance website.