If you’re a Kaiser Permanente member, you already know how important their communications are, appointment reminders, billing updates, or test results often come through email, text, or phone. Unfortunately, scammers also know this and are using fake Kaiser Permanente messages to trick people into giving away personal details or money.
Let’s break down how the Kaiser Permanente scam works, the red flags you need to watch for, and how to keep yourself protected.
What Is the Kaiser Permanente Scam All About?
The Kaiser scam usually appears in one of three ways:
Phone Calls (Phishing by Voice / “Vishing”)
- You get a call claiming to be from Kaiser about billing, overdue payments, or even urgent medical issues.
- The caller asks for personal info like your Social Security number, insurance ID, or banking details.
Emails (Phishing Emails)
- Fake emails may look like Kaiser’s official format, complete with logos and urgent subject lines.
- They push you to click a link to “verify your account,” “pay a bill,” or “check lab results.”
- The links lead to spoofed websites that steal your login credentials.
Texts (Smishing)
- Short messages urging you to click on a link to “secure your account” or “resolve billing issues.”
- The links often install malware or lead to phishing portals.
Why This Scam Works
- Trust in the brand: Kaiser Permanente is a trusted healthcare provider, so people are less suspicious.
- Urgency: Health-related messages often feel too important to ignore.
- Realistic design: Scammers mimic Kaiser’s style, including fonts, colors, and logos.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Generic greetings. “Dear Member” instead of your real name is a giveaway. customers about these schemes and encourage reporting them.
- Unexpected contact about billing or refunds.
- Requests for sensitive data over phone or email. Kaiser will never ask for your password or Social Security number this way.
- Suspicious links. Hover over links in emails/texts, if it doesn’t end in
kp.org, don’t click. - Poor grammar or typos. Official Kaiser communications are polished and professional.
How to Protect Yourself
- Verify directly. If you get a suspicious call or message, log into your Kaiser Permanente account at kp.org or call their customer service number from the official site.
- Never click unknown links. Go straight to Kaiser’s website instead.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your Kaiser account to add a security layer.
- Report scams. Forward phishing emails to [email protected] and block/report scam calls or texts.
- Check your statements. Regularly review medical and bank records for unauthorized charges.
What to Do If You Fell for It
- Change your Kaiser Permanente password immediately.
- Notify Kaiser’s fraud team. They can secure your account.
- Contact your bank if you shared financial info.
- Monitor for identity theft by checking your credit reports.
What Do You Do When You Suspect A Phishing Attempt
In this digital age and time, almost everyone has at one time received a phishing text or email and often times they fall victim and get scammed. This is why it is imperative that you are always careful when you receive any text or email because one careless click on a link can cause a whole lot of problems for you. Now if you suspect a phishing attempt, here is what I advise you do:
- Do Not Respond to the text, because you responding is actually giving access to the scammers, simply delete it when you receive.
- Quickly change your password if you have mistakenly clicked on the link or given away your login details. Change your password to a strong and unique password.
- Keep an eye on your accounts for any unauthorized transactions.
- Also scan you devices for any malware.
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to phishing scams and keep your personal and financial information safe.
Conclusion
Just like the NYC Unpaid Ticket Scam Text we reviewed earlier, The Kaiser Permanente scam is just another example of how cybercriminals exploit trust in healthcare brands. These fraudsters count on panic and urgency, especially around medical or billing issues, to trick people. Kaiser Permanente will never pressure you over the phone or email for sensitive information. If you’re unsure, always go directly to kp.org or call the number on the back of your membership card.
Stay cautious, stay skeptical, and remember: your health info and your money are worth protecting.