Phishing Email Disguised as Official OCR Audit Communication

  • December 1, 2016
  • Cooperative of American Physicians

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) published the following alert about a phishing campaign:

It has come to our attention that a phishing email is being circulated on mock HHS Departmental letterhead under the signature of OCR’s Director, Jocelyn Samuels. This email appears to be an official government communication, and targets employees of HIPAA covered entities and their business associates.

On-Demand Webinar: Enhancing Documentation Practices for Improved Patient Care
In this one-hour program, the team of risk management and patient safety experts at CAP offers time-saving techniques for establishing and maintaining an efficient documentation system.
Watch Now

The email prompts recipients to click a link regarding possible inclusion in the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Rules Audit Program. 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. We take the unauthorized use of this material by this firm very seriously. In the event that you or your organization has a question as to whether it has received an official communication from our agency regarding a HIPAA audit, please contact us via email at OSOCRAudit@hhs.gov.