The fraud cases of identity theft have become somewhat common these days. As people are getting smarter and preventing identity thefts, the hackers have started coming up with new forms of identity thefts. One of the latest threats facing the people, especially federal employees is the hacking of their Electronic Medical Records (EMRs).
The Breach of Federal Employees Data
Two massive breach incidents occurred only last year that highlighted the OPM’s inefficiency to prevent cyber attacks. The twin attacks made the data of over 21 million people vulnerable and the data included all vital details such as names, social security numbers, addresses, fingerprints as well as health and financial history. Though the agency is modernizing its systems to attain better IT security, the damage has been done.
Using Someone Else’s Health Insurance is Easy Now
One of the major types of medical identity theft is to use someone else’s name or health insurance for personal treatment. In such cases, a thief would use your identity to get benefits mentioned under your health insurance and you or your medical insurance provider would foot the bill.
Identity Theft of Hospital Patient Records is also possible
Another common medical identity theft includes hack of a computer system supporting a national chain of hospitals from which hackers can use the data and have endless opportunities to rob the patients, medical centers or insurance companies.
How to Protect Yourself from Medical Identity Thefts?
If you wish to prevent medical identity thefts, you need to make sure that you don’t disclose the medical data to someone you don’t trust. If you think a person who is claiming to represent your insurance company, doctor or your pharmacy is fake, you should ask for their name or extension and call the office to be sure they are who they claim to be. It would also be wise to keep your medical records in a safe place and shred the old ones rather than just crumpling and throwing them in the bin.
How to know if you are dealing with Medical Identity Theft?
No matter whether you come under the category of federal employees or not, you can detect the medical identity thefts by taking some simple steps. Firstly, you can start checking your medical bills to ensure that it does not include any fake bills. Secondly, you can keep an eye on the claims you have made till date and crosscheck them with the insurance provider so that no one gets the chance to put up a fake claim in your name.
