April 20, 2023
Identity theft in healthcare can have serious consequences, both for the individual whose identity has been stolen and for the healthcare provider or organization involved. Healthcare identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s personal information, such as name, Social Security number, or health insurance information, to receive medical treatment or services.
One major consequence of healthcare identity theft is the potential for incorrect medical records. If a thief uses another person’s identity to receive medical treatment, the resulting medical records may contain inaccurate information, such as incorrect medical history, medication allergies, or pre-existing conditions. This can lead to serious medical errors and put the individual’s health at risk.
In addition to the potential harm to the individual, healthcare identity theft can also result in financial losses for healthcare providers and insurers. The costs associated with investigating and resolving healthcare identity theft cases can be significant, and providers may also be held liable for any medical services provided as a result of the theft.
To prevent healthcare identity theft, individuals should take steps to protect their personal information, such as using strong passwords, monitoring their credit reports, and reviewing medical bills and insurance statements for unauthorized charges. Healthcare providers and organizations can also take steps to safeguard patient information by implementing strong data security measures and regularly training employees on how to identify and prevent identity theft.
If you are a victim of identity theft, there are several steps you can take to remedy the situation:
Contact your bank or credit card company: If your credit cards or bank accounts have been compromised, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report the theft and cancel any compromised cards. You may also want to change your login credentials and monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity.
Contact credit bureaus: Contact the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and request a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report. This will make it more difficult for the thief to open new accounts in your name.
File a report with law enforcement: File a report with your local police department or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You may need a police report to prove to creditors that you are a victim of identity theft.
Contact the companies where the thief has opened accounts: If you know which companies the thief has opened accounts with, contact them and report the fraud. You may need to provide a copy of your police report to prove that you are a victim of identity theft.
Monitor your credit report: Check your credit report regularly for any new accounts or inquiries. You are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the major credit bureaus.
Consider identity theft protection: Consider signing up for an identity theft protection service that can monitor your credit report and alert you to any suspicious activity.
Be patient: It may take time to fully resolve the identity theft and restore your credit. Keep detailed records of all communications and transactions related to the identity theft and be persistent in following up with creditors and credit bureaus until the issue is resolved.
