Healthy Habits for Digital Safety: Avoiding and Recognizing Healthcare Scams
June 9, 2026
When it comes to your health, peace of mind matters. Whether you're reviewing health insurance options, scheduling appointments, or managing Medicare benefits, you should be able to focus on your well-being and not worry about scams.
Presbyterian invests in the security of your accounts and your personal data, and we want to make sure you have the tools and knowledge to feel confident every step of the way. Unfortunately, healthcare scams have become increasingly common, targeting people through phone calls, text messages, emails and even social media.
Know the Warning Signs
Scammers often pretend to be representatives of a health insurance company, government agency, or healthcare organization. They may claim they need to verify your information, issue a new insurance card, or help you access benefits.
Be cautious if someone:
Requests your Medicare number, Social Security number, banking or credit card information
Asks you to provide the password for your myPRES account, MyChart account, or any other online account
Pressures you to act immediately or threatens that you'll lose coverage
Offers free medical equipment, tests, or services in exchange for personal information
Promises unusually low-cost health coverage, care options or special discounts that seem too good to be true
Quick Tips to Stay Safe
Protecting yourself starts with a few smart habits:
Verify before you respond. If you receive an unexpected call, email or text, contact the organization directly using a trusted phone number or website. If someone is acting as Presbyterian, contact us directly to verify the outreach or information.
Protect your information. Never share your passwords and only provide personal information to trusted organizations.
Use multi-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security to help keep your accounts safe, such as sending you a code or using a biometric scanning feature on your smart device.
Take your time. Scammers often create a sense of urgency. Pause and verify before providing any information.
Review your statements. Check your medical bills, insurance and bank statements regularly for unfamiliar charges or services.
What Presbyterian Does to Protect Your Identity
Protecting your health information is something we take seriously every day — not just when something goes wrong. Accounts you have through Presbyterian, including myPRES and MyChart, use multi-factor authentication, encrypted messaging and automatic session timeouts to help protect your information.
Reminder: Presbyterian will never call, text or email you to ask for your account password, Social Security number, Medicare ID or bank information. If you receive outreach or information from someone acting as Presbyterian, please contact us directly to verify the information.
A Healthy Dose of Caution
Just as preventive care helps protect your physical health, staying informed can help protect your personal information. If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and take the time to verify before sharing sensitive details.
By staying alert and informed, you can help safeguard your identity, your finances, and your access to the care you need—so you can focus on living your healthiest life.
