Patients are urged to remain vigilant in the wake of a new scam in which fraudsters are disseminating alarming messages with fake test results, and requesting explicit images related to alleged medical issues.
The industry-wide issue appears to particularly target urology patients, reports IOL, with Life Healthcare’s privacy officer saying people were being sent fraudulent WhatsApp messages.
“The messages claim to relay alarming test results, and ask the individuals to send explicit photos to an email address that appears legitimate.
“Our cyber-security and privacy teams promptly investigated and found no data breach at Life Healthcare. We advised the affected patients to report incidents to the police,” said the officer.
The company has alerted all Life Healthcare doctors about the issue and advised them to inform any patients who may have been affected to report the incidents to police.
It’s not just Life Healthcare patients being targeted, either, but also other healthcare providers.
Lynne O’Connor, a spokesperson for Netcare, confirmed the unauthorised use of Netcare’s branding in the deceptive communications, which are being sent via WhatsApp and SMS messages.
O’Connor said Netcare would never disseminate sensitive test results in such a manner, nor would they request private or explicit images.
“We are deeply disturbed about the malicious intent of these messages and the distress they are causing to unsuspecting patients,” she added.
Mediclinic Southern Africa said it was aware of a current phishing message circulating via WhatsApp that refers to potential medical results and attempts to obtain a payment deposit for urgent surgery.
"Mediclinic would not communicate any confidential information via text. Any decisions regarding treatment are made in direct consultation between patient and doctor. We encourage the public to be aware of phishing activities circulating over the festive season and to use discernment before responding to unsolicited offers or communication via email, WhatsApp or text," the group said.
IOL article – Healthcare providers alert patients to new scam involving test results (Open access)
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