Scammers are apparently targeting patients at Nebraska hospitals that have been hampered by a nationwide cyberattack.
The Nebraska Hospital Association and Bryan Health both said Monday that they are aware of reports of patients being targeted by scammers offering refunds if they provide credit card information.
They said the scam calls are apparently connected to the recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary that provides financial and clinical authorization services to hospitals and pharmacies across the country.
The Nebraska Hospital Association said last week that the cyberattack on Change Healthcare was affecting “a majority” of the state’s hospitals, which have been experiencing issues with prior authorizations for drugs, surgeries and other medical procedures; insurance verification for hospital stays; cost estimates; and patient billing.
It’s not clear exactly what refunds the scammers are offering, but Bryan said in a press release that it has received reports of scammers who are claiming to be representatives from Nebraska hospitals and reaching out to patients offering them refunds if they provide credit card information. It’s not clear what charges they are claiming to be refunding.
“The scammers have seen the headlines of the breach and are trying to take advantage by pretending to work at hospitals and collect credit card info, even ones that are not impacted by the cyberattack,” said Brad Colee, a spokesman for Bryan, which was not affected by the cyberattack. “We wanted to make patients in the community aware of this in case they receive any type of suspicious call.”
He reminded patients that Bryan will never ask for credit card information over the phone to initiate a refund.
Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, said in a statement that people need to be vigilant when presented with these types of scams.
“If you are at all skeptical regarding the nature of a phone call, hang up and call your hospital directly,” he said.
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
Papillion-La Vista South’s Addison Medeck (40), left, and Bellevue West’s Danielle Coyer (55) fight for a loose ball during the first round of the girls state basketball tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.
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Millard North’s Brylee Nelsen (33), left, hugs Romey Loveridge (4) in the closing seconds of their loss to Lincoln North Star during the first round of the girls state basketball tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.
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Millard West Assistant Coach Casey Hall talks Omaha Central’s Aalaiya Davis (3) after Millard West defeated Omaha Central during the first round of the girls state basketball tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.
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Omaha Central’s Pierre Noelle Tcheuhchoua (44) grabes a rebound in between Millard West’s Neleigh Gessert (23), left, and Norah Gessert during the first round of the girls state basketball tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.
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Creighton’s Lauren Jensen (15) throws a shirt to the crowd during player introductions before taking on Xavier at D. J. Sokol Arena in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
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An Omaha Central swimmer cheers on her teammate in the first heat of the girls 400 yard freestyle relay in the NSAA state swimming championships at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
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Xavier’s Nila Blackford (4), right, guards Creighton’s Emma Ronsiek (31) at D. J. Sokol Arena in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
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Creighton’s Mallory Brake (14) shoots a free throw against Xavier at D. J. Sokol Arena in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
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Creighton’s Kennedy Townsend (2), left, and Xavier’s Aanaya Harris (23) fight for a loose ball at D. J. Sokol Arena in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
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Omaha Marian’s Lucy Johansen, Easton Glandt and Meredith Peyton celebrate with teammate Alaira Hadford after winning the girls 200 yard freestyle relay in the NSAA state swimming championships at the Devaney Center in Lincoln on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
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Troy Hingst, left, holds the hand of his wife, Page Hingst, as she talks about her father, Curt Strom at her father’s bowling alley, Curt’s Lanes in Bloomfield, while posing for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Curt Strom was killed along with William Reffett in the bowling alley on Tuesday.
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People leave flowers outside of at Curt’s Lanes in Bloomfield on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Curt Strom was killed along with William Reffett in the bowling alley on Tuesday.
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Page Hingst talks about her father, Curt Strom at her father’s bowling alley, Curt’s Lanes in Bloomfield, while posing for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Curt Strom was killed along with William Reffett in the bowling alley on Tuesday.
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Siblings, Page Hingst, left, and Dustin Chancey think back to their first memories at their father’s bowling alley, Curt’s Lanes in Bloomfield, while posing for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Curt Strom was killed along with William Reffett in the bowling alley on Tuesday.
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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) celebrates with fans as they storm the court following the UConn vs. Creighton men’s college basketball game at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. Creighton won the game 85-66.
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UConn head coach Dan Hurley watches hiss team as Creighton’s Steven Ashworth (1) moves with the ball in the UConn vs. Creighton men’s college basketball game at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. Creighton won the game 85-66.
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Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason poses for a portrait in his home in Omaha on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
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Omaha Bryan’s Abdrirahman Unle jumps into the arms of coach Jason Susnja after pinning North Plate’s Tyler Haneborg for during the Class A 113-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.
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Omaha Skutt’s Kaylyn Harrill, left, wrestles Columbus Lakeview’s Lacy Lemburg during the Girls 120-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.
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Millard West’s Enrique Haynes celebrates his win over Omaha Creighton Prep’s Presden Sanchez in the Class A 120-pound championship match at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.
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Auburn’s Ayden Smith, facing, and Bennington’s Lane Welchert compete in the first round of the Class B 106-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
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Grand Island’s Kim Gonzalez, right, and Pierce’s Maggie Painter compete in the first round of the girls 120-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
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Battle Creek’s Ashton Kuchar, facing, and Hi-Line’s Parker Schutz compete in the second round of the Class C 126-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
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Omaha North’s Joshyonna Coppage-Dortch and Chadron’s Josey Werner compete in the first round of the girls 100-pound match in the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
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Beatrice’s Tristan Reinke, left, wrestles Bennington’s Brodee Scobee during the first round of the Class B 132-pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
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Lincoln North Star’s Colton Hauschild celebrates his win over Bellevue East’s Dillon Ginter during the first round of the Class A 165-pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
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Hershey’s Ethan Elliott, right, tries to pin North Bend Central’s Zac Mullally during the first round of the Class C132 -pound match during the state wrestling championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
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Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) reacts while answering questions from the media in the post game press conference after the Hawkeyes were defeated by Nebraska, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Alexis Markowski (40) embraces her father, Andy, after the Huskers defeated Iowa, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.
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Nebraska players celebrate with fans after defeating Iowa, 82-79, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Jacob Van Dee celebrates his win over Michigan’s Dylan Ragusin during a 133-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Caleb Smith picks up Michigan’s Michael DeAugustino during a 125-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Caleb Smith top. wrestles Michigan’s Michael DeAugustino during a 125-pound match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.
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Community members and politicians walk along 24th Street during a Martin Luther King Jr. Keep the Dream Alive March in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. The walk was postponed by weather from MLK Day in January.
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The sun rises over Lake Wanahoo outside Wahoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.
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David Wright, of Bellevue, and his son Michael Wright, of Papillion, ice fish in an insulated shelter on Lake Wanahoo outside Wahoo on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. “You can spend time with your friends, family,” David Wright said. “It’s not so much about the fishing.”
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Creighton’s Steven Ashworth (1) wipes the sweat from his face late in the second half against Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
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Butler’s Augusto Cassiá (0), left, and Finley Bizjack (13) celebrate an upset of Creighton at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
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Butler’s Jahmyl Telfort (11), left, and Andre Screen (23) try to steal the ball from Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
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Creighton’s Steven Ashworth (1) celebrates a three-point basket against Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
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Butler’s Finley Bizjack (13) chases a loose ball in the second half against Creighton at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
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Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55), right, helps Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) after they lost to Butler at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
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Creighton fans react to a Butler basket in the second half at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
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Omaha’s Marquel Sutton (10) gets ready for a shot against St. Thomas at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Omaha takes on St. Thomas at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Omaha’s Marquel Sutton (10) looks to pass the ball around St. Thomas’s Brooks Allen (4) at Baxter Arena in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Looking north on 13th Street from Hickey Street in the Little Bohemia neighborhood toward downtown Omaha.
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Doug Harold works at the Tomasek Machine Shop located at 1631 S 13th St.
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Doug Harold works at the Tomasek Machine Shop located at 1631 S 13th St.
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Wrestlers warm up with jump ropes during practice at Omaha Bryan High School in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. Omaha Bryan will be in the state duals for the first time in program history
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Boing the clown, Byron Simmons, paints clown makeup on Lochlynn Rager, 8, at Clown Camp at the Tangier Shrine Center in Omaha on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
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