WHA and DATCP advise Wisconsinites not to provide medical, financial information to unsolicited callers

Madison, Wis., Feb. 4, 2021—Wisconsin hospitals and health systems are being notified by patients of fraudulent calls they are receiving claiming to be from hospital representatives seeking personal health information and other sensitive data. The Wisconsin Hospital Association and Wisconsin Department of Trade Agriculture and Consumer Protection (DATCP) remind Wisconsinites not to respond to such unsolicited requests of personal information, whether they are made over the phone or through text or email.

Examples of information requested in the fraudulent calls include Medicare account numbers, family medical history and recent medical equipment purchases—all of which can be used for identity theft.

If you receive such a call, text or email, do not respond. Don’t click on links or open attachments from suspicious sources. When in doubt, contact the hospital at a verified telephone number or through another legitimate channel to seek clarification.

For more information on what to do if you fall victim to an identity theft scam, visit the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection website: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Publications/Phishing402.aspx

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ABOUT THE WISCONSIN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

The Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) advocates on behalf of its 130-plus member hospitals and health systems to enable the delivery of high-quality, high-value care to the citizens of Wisconsin. Learn more at wha.org.

ABOUT THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION (DATCP)

DATCP is responsible for inspecting food businesses and lodging and recreational facilities, working with counties to assist farmers in protecting the state’s environmental resources, protecting animal health, promoting Wisconsin products at home and abroad, and ensuring a fair marketplace by enforcing Wisconsin’s consumer protection laws. For more information, visit datcp.wi.gov.