Consumer Alert: Cyberattack on Change Healthcare’s systems affected millions of patients and providers nationwide

New York State officials have issued a consumer alert to raise awareness about free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services available for millions of consumers impacted by the Change Healthcare data breach:

In February, Change Healthcare, which operates the nation’s largest electronic health care payment system, experienced a cyberattack that exposed the personal information of millions of patients, including millions of New Yorkers. After the cyberattack…. Change Healthcare is offering all New York residents free credit monitoring and identity theft protections for two years to safeguard their personal information.

According to officials consumers should be aware of potential warning signs that someone is using their medical information. These signs include:

• Bills for medical services they did not receive.
• Errors in their Explanation of Benefits statement, such as charges for services never received or prescriptions not taken.
• Calls from debt collectors about medical debts they do not owe.
• Medical debt collection notices on their credit report that they do not recognize.
• Notices from their health insurance company about reaching benefit limits.
• Denials of insurance coverage due to inaccurate pre-existing conditions.

The New York State Attorney General’s office is encouraging everyone to use the free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to safeguard their information. These resources will be available for free for two years. Consumers can enroll in free credit monitoring and identity protection services online or by calling 1-866-262-5342.

“Big legal burden” about to hit small businesses

Washington Post:

American consumers are beginning to receive in the mail new credit cards that add a security chip to the traditional magnetic strip that processes their payments. The hope is the new cards cut down on credit card fraud but many small businesses do not appear ready for the change….

Businesses will need to install new card readers (by October 1) to process the information on the chips. Those that do not have the new technology in place by then will be on the hook for any security lapses or fraudulent transactions, instead of payment-processing firms.

[M]ore than 28 percent of small business owners who process payment cards are not even aware of the new technology or how it affects their business.

Presentation: avoiding online consumer headaches

Cornell Cooperative Extension will be hosting a Consumer Issues program on Thursday, December 12 at 11:00 am.

The topic will be Avoiding Consumer Problems on the Internet. Speakers will explore ways for consumers to protect their identity, financial accounts, and personal information, and what to do to resolve problems if they occur.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is located at 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, New York. The program is free and open to the public; no registration is necessary.

For more information, click here or call the Consumer HelpLine at 607-272-2292 weekdays between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.

New York law limits when businesses can demand your Social Security number

The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York):

On Dec. 12, a new state law limiting the rights of businesses to ask consumers for their Social Security number takes effect.

Companies, as well as individuals, will be barred from requiring individuals to disclose their Social Security account numbers except under certain circumstances. They also will be prohibited from refusing to provide any service based on a person’s refusal to disclose his Social Security number....

The exceptions include situations in which the use of a Social Security number is required by federal, state or local law or regulation, or the number is needed for internal verification, fraud investigations, banking and credit-related activities, or in connection with employment, insurance or tax purposes.

More on the new law can be found here.