SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The state’s Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) says New Mexicans should check their bank accounts for suspicious activity. The state said New Mexicans could have been impacted by a cyberattack on Change Healthcare.
The company handles roughly half of all medical claims in the U.S., OSI says. On February 21, 2024, the company was attacked and has now confirmed that consumers’ personal information was accessed.
Because of that, OSI says New Mexicans should check their financial accounts and credit reports. And New Mexicans should continue to do so, as the effects of theft can occur well after the initial cyberattack.
In addition, OSI recommends:
Monitoring your financial accounts and credit reports. Identity thieves might not use
your compromised information right away. Continue to monitor your credit report for
signs of suspicious activity. Each of the three nationwide credit bureaus, Equifax,
Experian, and TransUnion, provide one free credit report per year.
Signing up for free credit monitoring. Some businesses or government agencies offer
free credit monitoring services. Remember, never provide private information without
verifying that the service is legitimate.
Requesting a fraud alert from one of the credit bureaus. A fraud alert notifies banks
and other creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit in your
name. A fraud alert is free and will last 90 days. You can request a fraud alert with one
of the three nationwide credit bureaus.
Avoiding use of the same password across various accounts. If your username and
password are compromised in a breach, using the same password on other accounts could
help a criminal gain access to other accounts that use the same password.
Freezing your credit. A credit freeze or a security freeze blocks a criminal from
opening any new accounts or accessing credit in your name. To freeze your credit, you
have to contact each of the three credit bureaus individually. A credit freeze is free for
you and your children. You can remove the freeze temporarily ahead of a big purchase.
New Mexicans that have issues with healthcare delays, pharmacy changes, or payments can contact OSI at 855-427-5674, option 3. Change Healthcare also offers a helpline at this link.
