Protecting Your Personal Information from Data Breaches

A recent report revealed that over 320,000 Medicare documents were exposed in a data leak—putting patients’ sensitive health and financial information at serious risk. Unfortunately, breaches like this are more common as cybercriminals target healthcare data for its high value.

In 2024, one Medicare contractor accidentally leaked files that included full names, Social Security numbers, and billing codes. One victim discovered their identity was used to open a fraudulent pharmacy account in another state. Stories like this highlight how quickly exposed health data can be used for financial gain.

Whether it’s your Social Security number, insurance details, or medical history, protecting your personal information is more important than ever. This guide offers clear, practical tips to help you stay safe.

Key Takeaways

• Healthcare data breaches do happen, so it’s important to be vigilant and understand how your personal information is shared, stored, and used.
• Your medical records, insurance numbers, and personal info are valuable to identity thieves.
• Monitoring accounts and limiting shared information can reduce risk.
• You can take simple steps to protect your identity and recover quickly if compromised.

Why Healthcare Data Is a Target

In addition to clinical information, health records contain names, birthdates, billing data, and Social Security numbers. Unlike credit card numbers, this info can’t be easily changed or canceled.

Cybercriminals can use stolen healthcare data to:

• File false insurance claims
• Open credit cards or loans in your name
• Access prescriptions or care fraudulently
• Commit long-term identity theft, like undergoing surgeries or procedures over time with your information

According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach report, healthcare breaches are the most expensive of any industry. Medical data is deeply personal, permanent, and extremely valuable on the black market, where goods or services are bought and sold illegally.

Common Ways Your Info Can Be Breached

Understanding how breaches happen is the first step to protecting yourself. Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, and an overlooked detail can lead to a serious data leak. Whether it’s through deceptive emails, outdated technology, or internal mishandling, your personal information can be exposed in more ways than you might expect. Knowing the most common vulnerabilities empowers you to take proactive steps against these common issues:

• Phishing emails or texts pretending to be from Medicare or your insurance
• Fake calls offering “free medical equipment” or asking to verify ID numbers
• Stolen or lost devices with unencrypted patient data
• Insider threats at healthcare organizations or third-party vendors
• Insecure patient portals or reused, weak passwords
• Faxed records or emails sent to the wrong recipient

Even small clinics and outdated systems can pose a big risk if security measures aren’t in place.

How to Protect Your Information

There are some ways to help keep your data safe and reduce your risk if a breach does happen, including:

Use strong, unique passwords

• • • Avoid using the same password across websites
    • Include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
    • Use a password manager to track securely

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) or authentication apps when possible

1. 1. • Especially on health portals or bank accounts
      • Adds an extra layer of security beyond a password

Watch out for phishing scams

1. 1. • Don’t click suspicious links in emails or texts
      • Medicare and insurers won’t ask for info via text
      • You can always call your insurance company or medical provider directly or visit their main website to login or access information

Limit the info you share

1. 1. • Only provide personal info to trusted sources
      • Generally, you shouldn’t share anything with someone who calls you – you can call them back using the phone number on your insurance card or their main website
      • Ask providers (or anyone, really) why they need certain details

Monitor your accounts

1. • Check Medicare and insurance statements regularly
   • Look for unfamiliar charges or services

How to Review a Medical Statement

Protecting your information means staying alert to potential fraud in your medical billing. Identity thieves often exploit healthcare systems by submitting false claims or accessing benefits under your name. 

That’s why regularly reviewing your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is so important.

Spotting a suspicious charge early can prevent further misuse of your information and help you resolve issues before they impact your care or credit. Use these guidelines to ensure the safe review of your medical statement:

• Review every statement for:
  • Services you didn’t receive
  • Charges for appointments you missed or canceled
  • Duplicate billing codes or unfamiliar provider names
• Compare against your personal calendar or doctor’s visit log
• Store paper copies in a safe place, or download and back up digital records

If something looks off, call your provider or insurance company right away. Use their official website or your insurance card to get the correct contact information. Scammers can send emails that use alarming language designed to make you take an immediate action and may link to fraudulent sites made to look like the real ones.

How to Stay Alert for Signs of Fraud

Even if you follow best practices, breaches may still happen. That’s why it’s important to watch for subtle signs that your information has been misused. Be cautious if you receive medical bills for services you didn’t get, hear from collections about unfamiliar debts, or find unexpected insurance activity in your name. Unusual login alerts from health portals or changes to your contact information can also be red flags. The sooner you spot suspicious activity, the faster you can stop it from causing long-term harm.

If you get a message about a late bill or that you’re being sent to collections, don’t panic. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency so you’ll act fast without thinking. Take a moment to breathe, then double-check the details. Make sure to pause before you pay– you want to ensure the debt is real and that you’re paying through a trusted, official website or link before sending any money.

What to Do if Your Info Is Compromised

Data breaches can happen to anyone—what matters is acting quickly.

Notify your insurance and providers

• They can flag your account for suspicious activity.

• Request they watch for fraudulent claims under your name.

Place a fraud alert or credit freeze

• You can contact Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion to freeze your credit with each of the credit bureaus.

• A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before authorizing new accounts.

• A credit freeze blocks new accounts entirely. You’ll need to unfreeze your credit report before applying for any new credit cards or loans, though.

Report identity theft

• File a report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov.

• You’ll receive a personalized recovery plan based on what was stolen.

Change your login credentials

• Immediately update passwords on all connected accounts.

• Use new, secure credentials and enable 2FA.

Bonus Tip: Keep a written log of all calls, reference numbers, and emails during the resolution process.

Protecting Loved Ones from Data Theft

Seniors and caregivers are often targeted in healthcare data scams. If you help a loved one manage their care, be proactive:

• Explain common Medicare scams
• Set up alerts on patient or pharmacy portals
• Keep a secure list of accounts and passwords
• Consider a healthcare proxy or power of attorney for easier oversight and to take pressure off your loved one
• Talk to them about never sharing info by phone, even with official sounding callers
• There are helpful resources on protecting yourself from scams and identity theft as well as if you are a victim of identity theft available from The FTC, The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and The Identity Theft Resource Center, 

A little education and support can go a long way in preventing fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What information is most commonly stolen in a data breach?
   Names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, Medicare or insurance ID numbers, and billing addresses.
2. How do I know if someone used my medical information?
   Watch for strange bills, claim denials for unfamiliar services, or calls from providers you’ve never used.
3. Can I change my Medicare number if it’s exposed?
   Yes. Contact 1-800-MEDICARE to request a new card and number.
4. Is a password manager safe?
   Yes—password managers encrypt and store your login credentials, reducing the risk of weak or reused passwords.
5. Should I use public Wi-Fi to check medical info?
   No. Avoid accessing patient portals, health records, or financial accounts on public networks.
6. What should I do if someone else uses my insurance in my name?
   Call your insurer’s fraud department. You may need to file a police report or identity theft affidavit.

Learn More with Patient.com

Cyber threats are real—but with a few smart habits, you can significantly lower your risk. From recognizing phishing attempts to checking your Medicare statements carefully, your best defense is being informed and proactive. Whether you’re protecting your own identity or looking out for a loved one, Patient.com is here to help you stay secure, confident, and in control of your healthcare experience.

At Patient.com, we prioritize your privacy by putting you in control—we store your data with multiple security measures and it is only shared with your consent. We also use secure technology to protect your personal health information every step of the way.