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Is That A Text Message From My
Bank? |
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You get a text message claiming to be
from your bank warning you about a problem with your account. The text
message directs you to call a phone number or visit a website right away
to take care of the problem. Before you call that number or visit that
website, stop! That text message you received may be a new version of a
phishing scam designed to steal your personal information, according to
the Federal Trade Commission.
If you receive a text message about problems with your bank or credit
card accounts, immediately contact your bank or credit card company.
They will be able to let you know if they are trying to reach you and if
there is a problem with your account. You should also contact your
wireless provider to let them know you received a text message about
problems with your bank or credit card account. Remember, never give out
personal information on the phone, in a text, or online unless you know
who you're dealing with.
If you believe you may have received a phishing text, please notify the
Louisiana Attorney General's Office at
www.agbuddycaldwell.com
or 800-351-4889. You should also file a complaint with the Federal Trade
Commission at www.ftc.gov or by
calling 877-FTC-HELP.
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How To Avoid
Medical Identity Theft |
There is a new twist to identity theft-medical identity
theft. Medical identity theft can affect your finances and your health.
Medical identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal
information and uses it to commit health care fraud. Your personal
information may include your name, Social Security number, or your
Medicare Identification number. Medical Identity thieves may use your
identity to receive medical treatment, prescription drugs, or even scam
your insurance company by making a fraudulent claim.
Repairing damage to your good name and credit record can be difficult
enough, but medical identity theft can have other serious consequences.
If a scammer gets treatment in your name, that person's health problems
could become a part of your medical records. In addition, it could
affect your ability to get medical care and insurance benefits, and
could even affect decisions made by doctors treating you in the future.
The scam artist's unpaid medical debts also could end up on your credit
report making you responsible for disputing those fraudulent charges.
It is extremely important to catch medical identity theft early on.
- First, read every "Explanation and Benefits" statement you get from
your health insurer. Follow up on any item that you do not recognize.
- At least once a year, ask the health insurers you've been involved
with for a list of the benefits they paid in your name.
- Finally, make it a regular practice to check your credit reports. You
are entitled to a free report from each of the three nationwide
companies every 12 months. You can order your free credit report from
www.Annualcreditreport.com.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer
protection agency, you may be a victim of medical identity theft if:
- you get a bill for medical services you didn't receive;
- a debt collector contacts you about medical debt you don't owe;
- you order a copy of your credit report and see medical collection
notices you don't recognize;
- you try to make a legitimate insurance claim and your health plan says
you've reached your limit on benefits; or
- you are denied insurance because your medical records show a condition
you don't have.
If you think that you may be a victim of medical identity theft, ask
your health care provider or hospital for your medical records. You have
a right to get copies of your current medical files from each health
care provider, though you may have to pay for them. You also have a
right to have inaccurate or incomplete information removed.
If you are a victim of medical identity theft, file a police report with
your local law enforcement agency. Also send the police report to your
insurance company, medical providers and all three credit bureaus.
For more information about medical identity theft, please contact the
Louisiana Attorney General's Office at 800-351-4889 or
www.agbuddycaldwell.com .
You should also visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at
www.ftc.gov . |
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Office of Attonery General
State of Louisiana
James D. "Buddy" Caldwell
Attornery General |
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