Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield has announced a data breach. Anthem is investigating the breach and who is affected. A number of our members are covered by Anthem products, especially in Connecticut.
Anthem has established a website, www.anthemfacts.com, where members can access information about the breach. There is also a toll-free number for current and former participants to call: 877-263-7995.
Connecticut's tax commissioner is urging taxpayers expecting federal or state income tax refunds who may be affected by the Anthem data breach to file their taxes quickly.
Kevin Sullivan, head of the Department of Revenue Services, said the personally identifiable information apparently hacked at the Anthem health insurance company "is exactly what tax fraud thieves use to make false refund claims that appear to be legitimate."
Connecticut officials said about 1.14 million people in the state, including more than 180,000 state employees and retirees, are covered by Anthem and may have been affected by the data breach. Anthem is the largest insurer in the state.
Sullivan also warned taxpayers using Turbo Tax to be aware of fake emails seeking personal information to ultimately steal tax refunds.
2/17/15 UPDATE
Anthem is working with AllClear ID, a leading and trusted identity protection provider, to offer 24 months of identity theft repair and credit monitoring services to current or former members of an affected Anthem plan dating back to 2004.
For additional protection, and at no cost, you may also enroll in the AllClear PRO service at any time during the 24 month coverage period. This service includes credit monitoring and an identity theft insurance policy. You can enroll at https://anthem.allclear.com or by calling 1-877-263-7995.
New York residents who may have been impacted by the cyber attack against Anthem should be aware of scam email phishing campaigns designed to look like Anthem. These emails are NOT from Anthem or Empire.
- DO NOT click on any links in email
- DO NOT reply to the email or reach out to the senders in any way.
- DO NOT supply any information on the website that may open, if you have clicked on a link in email
- DO NOT open any attachments that arrive with email
EMPIRE IS NOT CALLING MEMBERS REGARDING THE CYBER ATTACK AND IS NOT ASKING FOR CREDIT CARD INFO OR SOCIAL SECURITY INFO BY PHONE OR EMAIL.
Anthem will individually notify enrollees whose information has been accessed by mail delivered by the US Postal Service.
Tips for consumers regarding the security breach:
- Don't open or click any emails claiming to be from Anthem. Some may be malicious. These are probably not even from the actual hacker, but are phishing scams that follow any breach. These are designed either to install malware on your computer or get you to give up financial details that will allow them to access your accounts or open new ones in your name.
- Anthem will contact you by mail if your personal information has been breached. Even if you think an email is from Anthem, do not click on any email links. Separately log on to their website by typing the letters of the URL yourself. Malicious emails may appear to re-direct to the Anthem website, but actually do not.
- Monitor your credit reports and bank accounts. All consumers have the right to a free credit report annually from each of the 3 big credit bureaus. Visit the Federal Trade Commission website for a how to.
- Consider a fraud alert now. Consumers who suspect they are victims of identity theft can add a 90 day renewable initial fraud alert to their credit reports, (which also entitles you to an additional free credit report.) If you know you are an identity theft victim and file a police report or FTC affidavit demonstrating this, you can request a permanent fraud alert.
- Consider the peace of mind of a security freeze on your credit reports. Ten years ago, US PIRG, along with Consumers Union, drafted a model state security freeze law, and with the help of AARP and others, it became law in 47 states until the credit bureaus finally capitulated and agreed to provide freezes in all jurisdictions. A security freeze prevents new credit from being issued in your name but allows your existing creditors to look at your report. It's the only way to prevent financial identity theft, since new creditors who cannot see credit scores will not open new accounts. A freeze requires more work by you; if you want to apply for a new credit card, or a home refinance, you'll need to temporarily lift the freeze (you can do this on a targeted creditor basis.) A typical freeze costs $10 ($30 for 3) and $5-10 each time it is temporarily lifted. A few states offer free security freezes for identity theft victims or senior citizens.
- Don't pay for expensive credit monitoring. Take it for free from Anthem. A freeze is much less expensive, and 100% more effective, than over-priced credit monitoring services. We will be monitoring Anthem's expected offer of free credit monitoring and will strongly oppose it, if it is set to automatically convert to paid credit monitoring at the end of the free offer.
- Update critical passwords. It's always a good idea to use different, robust passwords for all your important accounts. And it's a good idea to update them regularly.
- Consider filing for tax refunds ASAP. Several state attorneys general and other officials recommend filing for tax refunds as soon as possible.
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