Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

CATHERINE P. AWAKUNI COLóN
DIRECTOR

GORDON I. ITO
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

STEPHEN LEVINS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 24, 2015

State Urges Consumers to Protect Themselves from Identity Theft Following Anthem Security Breach
HMSA Members Who Sought Treatment Out-of-State May Be Impacted

HONOLULU – The State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) encourages the 18,000 HMSA members who may have sought treatment in one of the 14 mainland states where Anthem Inc. operates, and Anthem members who have moved to Hawaii, to visit AnthemFacts.com following the company’s security breach.

Members will be able to find out how to take advantage of services offered by the company including identity repair assistance, child identity protection and free credit monitoring.

The Hawaii Insurance Division and the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) will continue to monitor the situation, and suggests that consumers take extra precautions, such as reviewing their credit reports for signs of fraudulent activity.

“We will continue discussions with Anthem and HMSA to ensure the members affected are notified in a timely manner and informed of the next steps and protections offered,” said Gordon Ito, insurance commissioner.

OCP is also reminding consumers to be alert for scammers who may try to take advantage of the Anthem security breach.

“This is a good time to remind everyone to never provide personal information to anyone unless you’re 100 percent sure that they are who they say they are,” said Stephen Levins, executive director for OCP. “The main point is to exercise caution. Just because someone says they’re calling from your bank or health insurance company, doesn’t mean that they are.”

Consumers should also be on the alert for phony emails. If you receive an email from Anthem asking for your personal information, do not provide it. Check with Anthem or HMSA through the phone number you usually use or one from the phonebook, confirm that the contact information is legitimate.

The Anthem Inc. security breach affects customers from Amerigroup, Anthem and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield companies, Caremore and Unicare. Blue Cross and Blue Shield members who received treatment in one of the 14 states where Anthem Inc. operates including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin may also be impacted.

For more information, HMSA members can visit www.hmsa.com/anthem and www.anthemfacts.com.

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Media Contact:

Lindsay Chambers
Insurance Division
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Phone: (808) 587-6735
Email: [email protected]
cca.hawaii.gov/ins

Christine Hirasa
Communications Officer
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Phone: (808) 586-7582
Mobile: (808) 286-9626
Email: [email protected]
Website: cca.hawaii.gov