The FBI is warning Americans about a growing scam in which criminals pose as health insurance representatives or fraud investigators to steal personal and medical information.
In a public service announcement issued June 27, the agency said scammers are contacting patients and healthcare providers through emails and text messages that appear to be from legitimate insurance companies or authorities. The goal, the FBI said, is to trick victims into handing over protected health information, financial details or paying fake reimbursements.
These messages often claim there has been an overpayment or that services are not covered, pressuring victims to act quickly.
The agency urges anyone who believes they have been targeted by this type of fraud to file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
