CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Internet Alert

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield has received reports of an Internet scam aimed at some health plan subscribers. Although neither FCPS nor CareFirst members are specifically targeted, some members have received an unauthorized e-mail message (with an unofficial CareFirst logo) requesting personal information. If you receive an e-mail such as this and you did not initiate an information request of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, it may be part of the scam and you should delete the message.

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield has provided the following information regarding this matter:

• CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield understands the value of our member's personal information, as well as the devasting effects that can result from identity theft. For this reason, we take all reports of suspicious internet activity seriously.
  
  
• Over the past month, we have received notification from two members stating that they received an e-mail solicitation that requested personal information. The e-mail included a distorted version of the CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield logo that was apparently copied from our web site. Because of the type of request and the unusual appearance of the logo, the members suspected that it did not come from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and deleted it.
  
  
• Should you receive a suspicious message such as this, it is recommended that you follow the guidelines below:

1. Do not click on any links within the e-mail message.
2. Do not call any phone numbers listed in the e-mail message.
3. Do not respond to the e-mail message with any confidential information.
4. DO delete the message.

• The Carefirst BlueCross/BlueShield information security department has forwarded this information to the proper authorities. This is not a data breach, but rather an Internet scam.
  
  
• CareFirst has not experienced any breach in security. These e-mails are generated randomly, and because we have a large share of the regional market, a "shot-gun" approach of e-mailing to large numbers will result in a few messages reaching CareFirst members.
  
  
• Sadly, this type of scam is not unusual. This is why we emphasize, both online and through CareFirst materials, to never share private and personal information with an unsolicited party.  CareFirst does not send unsolicited e-mail messages requesting confidential information, nor does CareFirst sell customer information, such as e-mail addresses, to third parties.
  
  
• We have received no further reports from members regarding this incident and believe that the "scammers" have moved on.  However, we continue to monitor the situation, and should we receive reports of further activity, we will take the necessary actions.

For more information, please contact CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield at 800-296-0724.