The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights yesterday alerted the public to a phishing email targeting employees of entities covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and their business associates. The email appears to be an official government communication from OCR Director Jocelyn Samuels and prompts recipients to click a link regarding possible inclusion in the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Rules Audit Program, the agency said. However, the link directs individuals to a non-governmental website marketing a firm’s cybersecurity services. “In no way is this firm associated with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Office for Civil Rights,” the agency said. Organizations with questions as to whether they have received an official communication from the agency regarding a HIPAA audit may email the agency at OSOCRAudit@hhs.gov.

Related News Articles

Headline
The Senate July 29 voted 51-47 along party lines to confirm Susan Monarez as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Monarez served…
Headline
The FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and international agencies July 29 released a joint advisory on recent tactics by the Scattered…
Headline
Stacy Cantu, vice president, chief governance officer and corporate secretary for Texas Health Resources, discusses the role of a chief governance officer,…
Headline
Shelley Hart, R.N., clinical nurse specialist at Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital, explores the hospital's inspiring journey toward delivering exceptional…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services July 30 announced the creation of a “digital health ecosystem” that includes partnerships with health care…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services July 28 announced the creation of a $100 million pilot program to prevent, test for, treat and cure hepatitis C for…