There’s a new phishing scam currently targeting MyChart users through fraudulent emails and text messages that claim to be associated with the platform. Please be on the lookout for the following if you encounter these suspicious communications:
- Always be skeptical of “free” offers advertised in the communication, including those for free MyChart Medicare Kits or wellness programs. MyChart does not offer giveaways.
- Guard your password and verification codes. These should only be entered when you are logging onto the official MyChart website or app. You will never be asked to provide these by phone, text or email.
- Avoid clicking any links included on suspicious emails claiming to come from MyChart.
- Some of these suspicious emails may ask you to verify, unlock or update your account by clicking or downloading from a direct link.
- The unsubscribe link contained in these phishing emails may also be linked to a cyber threat.
- Watson Clinic and MyChart will never ask you for your password, social security number or payment info via an unsolicited email or text.
Watson Clinic remains vigilant in our attempts to identify and thwart scammers. We encourage our patients and online visitors to keep the following points in mind:
Watson Clinic will never ask you for personal financial information under any circumstances in any online or social media forum. Refrain from clicking links that don’t lead to a page on our official website at WatsonClinic.com.
If you receive a communication that claims to come from Watson Clinic that you find suspicious, you can verify its authenticity by calling 863-680-7000 and asking to be connected with the department mentioned in that communication.
Scammers may also target patients by phone. Experienced phone spoofers may have the ability to make these connections using actual phone numbers associated with the Clinic. They’re calling from their own number, but it shows up on your phone as a number related to the Clinic. If you feel uncomfortable or suspicious with the information requested during the call, please hang up and dial the department or physician’s office directly. You can visit WatsonClinic.com to locate the appropriate numbers to call.
Consider this additional information from the FCC on avoiding spoofing scams:
Don't answer calls from unknown numbers.
If you answer and it’s not who you expected, don’t hang on, hang up.
If a caller asks you to hit a button to stop getting calls, just hang up.
Never assume an unexpected call is legitimate. Hang up and call back using a number you can verify on a bill, a statement, or an official website.
Be suspicious. Con artists can be very convincing: They may ask innocuous questions, or sound threatening, or sometimes seem too good to be true.
Don’t give out personal information – account numbers, Social Security numbers or passwords – or answer security questions.
Use extreme caution if you are being pressured for immediate payment.
Ask your phone company about call blocking tools for landlines or apps for mobile devices.