 TITLE: How Can Medical Identity Theft Occur? CONTENT: How to Prevent Medical Identity Theft\n-------------------------------------\nIn many ways, protecting yourself from medical identity theft can be similar to what you might already be doing to reduce the risk of other forms of identity theft.\nFor example, creating a unique and secure password for all your accounts can help minimize the fallout of a data breach at one company. Additionally, monitor your credit for hard inquiries (an indication that someone has applied for credit), new accounts and collections accounts that could be an indication your personal information has been compromised.\nSteps you can take to prevent medical identity theft, in particular, include:\n*   Look for notices from health care companies, including your insurance, doctor, pharmacies and clinics.\n*   If you lose your health insurance card, request a new card with a different number.\n*   Shred or safely dispose of health records and documents that have your personal information.\n*   Never share your personal information, including health plan information, over the phone or by email if you didn't initiate the conversation.\n*   Don't share your information with people and companies that promise to give you free products or services.\n*   If you submit your information online, make sure the website has \"HTTPS\" at the beginning of the URL (sometimes indicated by a closed-lock symbol or the word \"secure\").\n*   Create your patient portal account if your health care provider offers an online service.\n*   Keep your computer's antivirus and anti-malware software updated.\n*   Review your medical records annually.\n*   Hold on to copies of old medical records and other documents because they may be needed to fix your record if you're the victim of medical identity theft. END