COEUR d'ALENE - The Better Business Bureau for North Idaho and Spokane is warning the public that scam artists are ready to exploit the implementation of the Affordable Care Act - often called "Obamacare" - to steal people's identities.

With open enrollment for Idaho's state health insurance exchange beginning Oct. 1, the BBB and security experts warn that the scammers are plotting and ready.

"Scammers really take advantage of that confusion," said Chelsea Maguire, a spokeswoman for the BBB in Spokane.

She pointed to Fraud.org, which says Obamacare scams come in a variety of forms.

Consumers across the country allege that scammers are contacting them by phone, fax, email and in person.

The BBB office here hasn't received reports or complaints about the scam hitting North Idaho residents, Maguire said.

"Be prepared, this scam is likely to happen," Maguire said.

She recommended people talk with their elderly relatives to help them avoid a scam.

"The truth is they need to start researching now," she said.

Some scammers claim to be government employees, tricking consumers into revealing their bank account numbers in order to sign up for fake health care plans, Maguire said.

Other scammers are asking for Social Security numbers in order for consumers to continue their eligibility for Medicare.

Fraudsters are intimidating consumers into disclosing information by claiming "it's the law" or that "the government now requires it," she said.

Some consumers are threatened with jail time if they do not purchase fake insurance cards.

Maguire pointed out that financial penalties associated with families and individuals that don't obtain insurance don't take effect until next year, and there is no such thing as a jail penalty.

Starting Oct. 1 and running through March 31, Idaho residents will be able to compare health insurance plans through the insurance marketplace known as Your Health Idaho, at www.yourhealthidaho.org. Until then, no one can sell residents insurance through an exchange.

The BBB offers the following tips to help Idaho's consumers spot and respond to a health insurance scam:

* Hang up the phone upon getting one of these calls. It may be tempting to call back, but this will only give the scammer another opportunity to steal information. Also, be sure not to press any buttons that the scammer instructs and report the incident to BBB's Scam Stopper or the Federal Trade Commission.

* Never give out personal information, including bank account numbers, date of birth, credit card numbers or Social Security number.

* Don't rely on caller ID. Some scammers are able to display a company's name or phone number on the caller ID screen.

* Get informed. Learn how health care reform is effecting consumers. Visit the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service's HealthCare.gov.

* Get help. If personal information is given to an Obamacare fraudster, inform banks, credit card providers and the three major credit bureaus, TransUnion, Experian and Equifax so they can be on the lookout for potential identity thieves.

If victimized by a scam or you have further questions about scams, reach out to the BBB at (509) 455-4200 or visit www.bbb.org.