It didn’t take long. Scam artists are already using the new health care overhaul to cheat and confuse Americans. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius warned of the scam artists this week. “Unfortunately, scam artists and criminals may be using the passage of these historic reforms as an opportunity to confuse and defraud the public,” Ms. Sebelius said in a letter to state insurance commissioners and attorneys general, according to the New York Times.

The scams to watch out for include people establishing toll-free phone numbers and door-to-door salesmen looking for buyers of fake insurance policies. The scammers are spreading lies about requirements in the new health bill, confusing Americans even more. Similar scams were seen during the H1N1 epidemic. Sebelius said that any rip-offs should be investigated and prosecuted. She believes senior citizens could be a big target for the crime.

It’s important to note that the insurance changes created under the new bill do not go into effect until 2014, unlike the crooks are saying. So if you are approached by someone selling an insurance product who makes claims about the new health care bill, make sure you do your research before becoming a victim.