MyChart patient portal users warned of phishing scams
By MEGAN SWIFT
TribLive
Pennsylvania patients who use the online portal My-Chart to communicate with their health care providers should be aware of a “phishing scam targeting patients,” state Attorney General Dave Sunday said.
MyChart is a popular online patient portal used by many hospitals and health care systems, including both Allegheny Health Network and UPMC.
Scammers have been impersonating MyChart by sending patients emails or text messages that offer a chance to claim a reward in the form of a “MyChart Medicare Kit,” he said in the warning.
No such program or reward exists, according to Sunday.
By sending these emails and text messages, the scammers are attempting trick people into clicking on malicious links, allowing them to obtain passwords and personal information — to gain access to patients’ MyChart portals.
“Scammers are always looking for new ways to obtain as much of your personal information as possible,” Sunday said. “Stay on the lookout for this new scam tactic, and contact your medical office if you’re not sure how to access the MyChart website assigned to your providers.”
If Pennsylvania patients receive a MyChart email or text message, Sunday advised them to not reply and only contact their medical team through the official My-Chart website or app.
“Delete any suspicious emails or text messages without opening any attachments or clicking on any links,” he said in the warning. “Do not click the ‘unsubscribe’ button in these messages, this link is likely also malicious.”
Patients should not reply to these messages with their password or verification codes by text, phone or email, Sunday said.
“Do not follow instructions in these messages that are asking consumers to move to their computers to ‘verify,’ ‘fix’ or ‘unlock’ the My-Chart account,” he said in the warning.
Anyone who has questions, or people who feel this has happened to them can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting the website, emailing scams@attorneygeneral. gov or by calling the office at 1-800-441-2555.
