Not every insurance company you come across will be reputable or lawful to work with. Scammers who pose as consumer insurance organisations may receive vulnerable people with offers of phoney or fraudulent coverage. The Consumer Insurance Association is an alleged fraud operating in this vein; the association calls consumers and provides them with a list of well-known insurance providers although it is not licensed to sell insurance in any state. The Texas Department of Insurance has warned consumers to verify the credentials of their insurance agent or company before purchasing a policy due to this scam.
What is a consumer insurance association?
The Consumer Insurance Association is a fraud that preys on the public’s trust to peddle fraudulent insurance plans. Consumers in Texas have been warned about this scam by the Texas Department of Insurance. The Consumer Insurance Association may provide a phone directory of well-known insurers; however, it is not authorized to sell insurance.
Consumer Insurance Association reviews
There is no connection between the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners), which sets standards in the United States and helps insurance regulators by providing them with information, data, and analysis, and the Consumer Insurance Association (CIA). The NAIC has been around since 1871, and the top insurance regulators run it from all 50 states, DC, and five territories.
There is no connection between the Consumer Insurance Association and the Consumer Credit Industry Association (CCIA), a trade group for insurance companies that provide loan repayment guarantees in the case of the debtor’s demise or disability. The Canadian Condominium Industry Association (CCIA) was established in 1951 and serves its members through training, lobbying, and scientific inquiry.
Get off the phone and report the Consumer Insurance Association or whoever called you to sell insurance to the state insurance bureau. Get in touch with the insurance division in your state [here]. Information on probable instances of fraud can also be sent through the NAIC’s online fraud reporting system [here]. Don’t share your banking details with anyone you don’t know and trust.
How can I protect myself from a consumer insurance association scam?
The victims of consumer insurance association scams tend to be looking for more affordable car coverage. Consumer Insurance Association, the company the fraudsters claim to represent, does not hold an insurance license in any state. They may utilize the names of well-known insurance providers to make their offer appear more credible. Moreover, they desire sensitive information like your driver’s license or Social Security number and your bank account or credit card details. They may also want a deposit or fee to hold the lower rate for you. Giving them this information puts you at risk of identity theft and financial loss.
To protect yourself from consumer insurance association scams, you should:
- If you obtain a call from someone claiming to be able to cut your car insurance, hang up immediately. Never hand out sensitive information over the phone without verifying the company’s legitimacy.
- Before purchasing a policy, ensure the insurance firm or agent is properly licensed. To accomplish this, get in touch with or verify the website for the insurance division in your state.
- Get insurance quotes from multiple providers before making a final decision. Find an insurance plan per your requirements with online tools or a liberating agent.
- If you receive a strange call or offer, you should contact your state’s FTC and insurance department. If unsatisfied with an insurance service or product, you can also submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Why Is the Consumer Insurance Association Calling You?
If the Consumer Insurance Association ever calls you, hang up immediately since they are a fraudulent organisation trying to steal your data. They can act like they’re from the government or a reputable insurance firm to obtain you to pay less for coverage. However, they intend to use your information for fraudulent activities like stealing your identity.
Do not distribute personal or insurance information over the phone to the Consumer Insurance Association or any other unknown caller. They may be phoning from overseas; however, they are using spoofing technology to make it resemble calling from a local or toll-free number. If you get a call from them, just hang up without giving them any information. You can also report them to the FTC, or the National Do Not Call Registry to have their phone number permanently removed from your contact list.
Remember that genuine organisations like insurance firms or government departments will never contact you out of the blue and enquire about sensitive information over the phone. You can confirm their legitimacy by consulting their official websites and phone numbers. You can always phone the company back using the verified number listed on your insurance card or official website if you have any doubts about the caller’s identity. The Consumer Insurance Association and other con artists won’t be able to get any of your data this way.
What Should I Do If I Get a Call from the Consumer Insurance Association?
You should exercise caution before providing any personal information if you receive a call claiming to be from the Consumer Insurance Association. The Consumer Insurance Association is a fraud that offers phoney or exorbitantly priced insurance plans to vulnerable consumers. To get you to talk to them, they can use a robocall, a fake number, or fabricate a story.
To evade falling victim to this con, follow these precautions:
- Do not collect the phone if the number is unrecognisable or seems suspicious. You should immediately terminate the call if you order and hear a recording or a person asking for sensitive information.
- Don’t respond to any prompts or press any buttons on the phone. As a result, more spam or unwelcome charges could appear on your phone bill.
- Don’t get back in touch with the calling number. If your number is verified as current, you may become the victim of other scams.
- If you received an unwanted call, you could file a complaint with the FTC at [ftc.gov/complaint] or by dialing 1-877-382-4357. The insurance commissioner or attorney general in your state can also be notified.
- Visit [donotcall.gov] or dial 1-888-382-1222 to have your phone number added to the National Do Not Call Registry. This will undermine legitimate telemarketing calls but not illegal ones.
- You can evade annoying phone calls using your phone’s built-in call-blocking features. You can also contact your phone service provider if you want to restrict or filter calls.
- Keep in mind that reputable insurance companies will never initiate contact with you by phone to verify information or collect premiums. It is your best advantage to shop around for insurance from several reliable companies before making a final decision. Another resource for determining whether an insurance provider or agent is properly licensed in your state is the [National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) website].
What is the Consumer insurance phone number?
The Consumer Insurance Association can use or simulate any valid phone number in any state. Calls from 800 and 888 numbers have also been reported by some receivers.
Expert advice: if you get a call from a 1-800 or 1-888 number, hang up immediately because scammers can simply generate these numbers. Be wary at all times!
What is the Consumer Insurance Bureau?
Every state in the USA has a consumer insurance bureau or department of insurance. When regulating the insurance industry, this government organization serves a necessary function. Do not mix these legitimate government agencies with the fraudulent Consumer Association.
- The Department of Insurance in each state is a valuable resource for educating and protecting policyholders.
- Share with buyers the state-mandated insurance coverage minimums.
- Insurance providers’ credentials must be checked.
- Complaints from locals against approved insurers are investigated.
- consumer warnings