A state senator is warning Georgians they could be subject to identity fraud if they sign up for health insurance through the federal health care exchange.

Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta) complains navigators hired to assist consumers with coverage are not vigorously screened and could steal personal and financial information.

"You get the phone call and the first or second words out of their mouths after they tell you what they're calling about is 'what's your social security number and what's your birthdate'," he told reporters during a news conference at the State Capitol.

He says the same safe guards aren't there if consumers were to go through a health insurance company.

But the Georgia Insurance Commissioner's Office says navigators undergo both state and federal background checks once they have completed their training.

Spokesman Glen Allen says that applicants must undergo 20 hours of federal training and 10 hours of state training before they're required to pass a test.  Once those steps are completed, they undergo the security screenings.

Five had been certified by the state as of Wednesday morning, while more than 20 were still in the process.

Hill warns anyone could say they're a navigator and ask for the personal information.

"We would very strongly encourage Georgians to not give out this information to anybody who's claiming to be a navigator unless you personally know them," he says.

Allen says it's not necessary to use a navigator.  He says Georgians can reach out to a licensed health insurance agent or go online at healthcare.gov to complete the process.