San Antonio health officials are urging Medicare patients to be vigilant after a nationwide phishing campaign began using the familiar MyChart name and logo. University Health, a major provider in the city, posted a warning on its website and sent notices to its patient base on Tuesday.
How the scam appears
The deceptive messages arrive as either email or text alerts with subject lines such as “Your MyChart Medicare Kit Awaits” or “Here’s your senior package.” The messages often promise free goods or services if the recipient clicks a link. The design closely mirrors the legitimate MyChart portal that many hospitals use for scheduling appointments and viewing medical records.
Official response
Elizabeth Allen, a spokesperson for University Health, explained that the scams specifically target seniors, encouraging them to follow links that can expose personal information. “These phishing scams invite seniors, usually, to click on these prompts and follow them so that their personal information will be exposed and compromised and that they may have access to other things as well,” Allen said.
University Health reports that, to date, none of its patients have been confirmed as victims, but the organization is taking proactive steps. An alert now appears at the top of the provider’s website, and staff are reaching out to patients directly to reinforce safe‑online habits.
What patients should do
Allen advises all patients to scrutinize the web address of any email or text that claims to be from MyChart. “People shouldn’t click on strange links,” she said. “They should hold off and check the URL that it’s coming from and know that Epic and MyChart, they’re not going to send out free offers. If it’s free, check it out without clicking.”
Patients are encouraged to log in to MyChart only by typing the official website address into a browser or using the official mobile app. If a message seems suspicious, the safest course is to forward it to University Health’s fraud‑prevention team for verification.
Broader context
The phishing scheme is not limited to Texas; similar scams have been reported across the country, targeting Medicare beneficiaries who often rely on digital tools to manage health care. Federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, have warned that scammers increasingly exploit trusted brand names to harvest personal data.
Local law‑enforcement agencies are also monitoring the situation, though no arrests have been announced. Residents who believe they may have received a fraudulent message are urged to report it to the Texas Attorney General’s Office or the local police department’s cyber‑crime unit.
Protecting seniors
Community groups in San Antonio, including senior centers and faith‑based organizations, are planning informational sessions to educate older adults about online safety. The emphasis is on empowering families and caregivers to assist seniors in recognizing and avoiding scams.
University Health will continue to update its patients as more information becomes available and remains committed to safeguarding the personal and medical data of the community it serves.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
