Anthem Data Breach: Let the scams begin

News of the massive data breach at insurance giant Anthem Inc. isn’t even a week old, and already the phishing scams have begun.

Phone calls and emails are already circulating that claim to represent Anthem and offer free identity theft protection to victims of the breach. These calls and emails are not from Anthem, but scammers attempting to obtain personal and financial information.

Anthem has stated that they will contact customers affected by the breach by mail over the next couple weeks.

That means postal mail, friends. The kind that’s on paper and comes in an envelope, delivered by that person your dog completely freaks out at six timeĀ a week. The letters will give you information on identity theft protection, as well as the next steps you should take.

If someone calls you on the telephone, they’re not from Anthem.

If you get an email message, it’s not from Anthem.

If you get a text message, that’s not from Anthem, either.

If some weirdo shows up at your door, they’re not from Anthem.

Okay, I don’t really think that last one is going to happen, but you never know. I’m trying to me preemptive, here.

Watch your mailbox if you’re a former or current Anthem (or Wellpoint) customer. The old-school mailbox. Any other communications that claim to be from Anthem are fraudulent.

You can also get information online here.