WHAT IS PHISHING?  

When internet fraudsters impersonate a business to trick you into giving out your personal information, it’s called phishing. Don’t reply to emails, texts, or pop-up messages asking for your personal or financial information. Don’t click on links within them either – even if the message seems to be from an organization you trust. It isn’t. Legitimate businesses don’t ask you to send sensitive information through insecure channels.

FRAUD AND THE HEALTHCARE MARKETPLACE

The healthcare industry has been a target for fraud and phishing scams. There are 1.5 million cases of medical identity theft a year, and more than 1,000 cases of health reform wire fraud have been reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Protecting your personal and health information is always essential, whether you obtain or already have coverage through the marketplaces. Use a trusted site, like your insurance company’s website, to find a verified doctor and confirm board certifications. You might also want to monitor your health records, just like you monitor your credit records.

TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM PHISHING SCAMS

  • Beware of imitation sites that ask for confidential information like your social security number, credit card number, email address, or money.
  • If you’re on YourHealthIdaho.org to compare plans and shop for rates, you only need to enter: your household size, income, ZIP code, and county of residence. Only when completing the enrollment application do you need to provide confidential information (such as Social Security Number).
  • You will ONLY pay the insurance company from which you obtain coverage.
  • You should not provide payment information to anyone but your Your Health Idaho-Certified agent or broker, who is licensed by the Idaho Department of Insurance.
  • Beware of scammers who ask you to update your plan. Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare recipients and many individuals who have insurance through their employer do not need to do anything.
  • If you receive the Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC), Your Health Idaho will complete an annual redetermination of your tax credit. At that time, Your Health Idaho may request verification of information from you. You can update your information securely through your YourHealthIdaho.org account.

You can visit the Your Health Idaho Privacy Policy to see what measures we take to protect your identity. Visit the Your Health Idaho Privacy Policy here: https://www.yourhealthidaho.org/privacy-policy/