1. Simple Safeguards: Presented by Retired
FBI Special Agent
Preventing Medical Identity Theft Jeff Lanza
1. Keep Track of Your Insurance Cards If you think you are a victim:
Protect your health insurance card just as you CALL YOUR INSURER
would your ATM card or Social Security Card. Most insurance companies have
Report lost or stolen cards to your insurer
antifraud units that specialize in medical
immediately. Never lend your card to someone
and never provide your insurance information to identity theft problems. If you think you
some who called you on the phone. are a victim of identity theft, call the
2. Scrutinize Your Statements insurer’s customer service and ask for
You should receive an “explanation of benefits the antifraud hotline.
statement” every time a medical claim is made. CHECK SUSPICIOUS MEDICAL
You should check these statements carefully for RECORDS:
any unusual charges for medical services that you
do not remember getting. If you have a question
Contact the provider in question and ask
about something listed, call your insurer to get for a copy of the medical records in your
more details. name. Do this even if you have to pay
3. Get an Annual Statement for the records.
Sophisticated thieves know how to redirect your DO NOT TELL THEM YOU
explanation of benefits to a fake address. To SUSPECT FRAUD
counter this, ask your insurer for an annual
itemized list of all claims billed to you. The minute you say there may be
Fraudulent claims that may not have appeared on someone posing as you to get medical
your explanation of benefits should show up on care, the provider may not let you see the
this list. records. Once you have the records, you
4. Check Your Credit Report can then look for discrepancies like a
Do it regularly. Unpaid hospital or doctor bills different age from yours or a history of
that have gone to a collection agency will diseases you do not have, that will help
eventually show up on your credit report. You can
prove the fraud.
get a free annual copy of your report from all
three credit reporting agencies at: FILE A POLICE REPORT
www.annualcreditreport.com. You will need this to open an
5. Get Copies of Medical Records investigation, get access to medical
Do it routinely. Each time you go to the doctor or records and to help clear up any
hospital, request a copy of your medical records problems on your credit report.
and keep them in a safe place at home. That way,
if someone does steal your information and your
Resource:
medical records are altered, you’ll have the
World Privacy Forum
“before” copies. These documents will make it
www.worldprivacyforum.org
much easier to prove you are who you say you are
when you report the fraud. They will also help
when trying to correct files. Speaker Information:
6. Avoid Offers of Free Services Jeff Lanza
This is a common ruse for fraudsters. Better to Phone: 816-853-3929
have routine screenings like blood pressure and Email:jefflanza@thelanzagroup.com
blood sugar tests done through your physician’s Web Site: www.thelanzagroup.com
office.