Illinois Patients Warned About Convincing New MyChart Scam
Illinois patients are being warned about a sophisticated scam impersonating MyChart, the patient portal for accessing medical records.
I just got used to MyChart, and of course something like this happens.
READ MORE: Illinois Residents Warned About Dangerous New Text Message Scam
Illinois Patients Warned About MyChart Scam
Hospitals in the state have issued warnings about the scam, although there are no known reports of Illinois hospitals themselves being affected.
Here's what the scammers are trying to do. They are sending realistic-looking emails and text messages that appear to come from a doctor's office or MyChart.
How the Fake MyChart Messages Work
Some of these emails are so deceptive that they even include the MyChart logo and claim patients have new medical results or something that requires immediate attention.
Experts say the urgency is deliberate, meant to make you react before you have time to question it. AI is also making it harder to spot scammers because it can now create messages that sound natural and convincing.
Scammers Are Creating Fake MyChart Websites
Some scammers are even creating fake MyChart websites that look like the real portal, and others display fake medical results and ask users to complete a phony verification process.
Here's what to look for: instructions asking you to press certain computer keys, run a command, or download software that can install malware on your machine.
READ MORE: Illinois Residents Need To Watch Out For This Convincing Phishing Scam
How to Spot a Fake MyChart Scam
Just so you know, MyChart hasn't been compromised; scammers are just impersonating the service. So if you see a MyChart page asking you to do anything like running commands or downloading programs, stop immediately.
