Medical Identity Theft
Someone may use your identity or insurance to get medical care, prescriptions or equipment. The warning signs, why it can be dangerous, and how to correct your medical and insurance records.
Medical identity theft happens when someone uses your personal details or health insurance to get medical care, prescriptions or equipment, or to submit false insurance claims. It can leave you with bills you do not owe and, more worryingly, incorrect information in your medical records.
Warning signs
- Bills or statements for treatment you did not receive.
- An insurance statement listing visits, prescriptions or equipment you do not recognise.
- Debt collection calls about medical debts you do not owe.
- Being told you have reached a benefit limit you did not use.
- Records showing conditions, allergies or treatments that are not yours.
Why it matters
Incorrect records can affect your care. If someone else's blood type, allergies or diagnoses are added to your file, doctors may rely on wrong information. Correcting records is as important as disputing bills.
What to do
- Contact your insurer or health provider using official details and report suspected fraud.
- Request your records and a list of claims or benefits paid in your name.
- Dispute incorrect bills and entries in writing, and ask for corrections.
- Report identity theft to your national service. See reporting identity theft.
- Check your credit record for related debts. See checking your credit record.
- Keep a log. See keeping a log.
Prevention
- Protect your health insurance card and number like a bank card.
- Read insurance statements and question anything unfamiliar.
- Be wary of "free" health offers that ask for insurance details. See the FTC's advice on health insurance scams.
- Shred medical paperwork. See shredding documents.
- Secure online health portal logins with strong passwords and two-step verification.
Got a message about a medical bill or insurance? Paste it into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check.
For the full process, see how to respond to identity fraud in our complete guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is medical identity theft?
When someone uses your name, health insurance or other details to get medical treatment, prescriptions, equipment or to make false insurance claims.
Why is it dangerous?
Besides bills, the thief's medical information may be added to your records, which could affect your care, and you may hit insurance limits.
What should I do first?
Contact your insurer or health provider, request your records and a list of claims, dispute anything you do not recognise, and report identity theft.
Sources
- What To Know About Medical Identity Theft, US Federal Trade Commission
- IdentityTheft.gov, US Federal Trade Commission
- Spot Health Insurance Scams, US Federal Trade Commission
