It's a crucial time of the year for the 24 million Americans who rely on health insurance purchased through the public marketplace.

Open enrollment is the season -- from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15 -- when Americans to choose and lock in a health insurance plan for the following year. For anyone looking to buy health care coverage for 2026, the next few weeks are crucial. Dec. 15 is the deadline for coverage that takes effect on Jan. 1.

But that importance (and urgency) is also what makes it a time of high risk when online scammers may try to exploit you. Consumer attention and anxiety around open enrollment are frequently exploited by sophisticated cybercriminals, leading to identity theft, financial loss and interruption of medical care.

While open enrollment is necessary to keep your cov

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