Alert: Postcard Disguised as Official OCR Communication is in the Mail

Though the postage is marked first class, the mailer’s intent is not. In fact, it is another low-class act by scammers. The United States Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a statement on August 6 about postcards that are being sent to health care organizations disguised as official OCR communications, claiming to be notices of a mandatory HIPAA compliance risk assessment.

OCR Ensures Patients Can Receive Religious Visitations During COVID-19 in a Maryland Health System

Tuesday the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the resolution of a religious discrimination complaint against Prince George’s Hospital Center of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) after UMMS adopted new policies ensuring clergy access to patients for religious purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Microsoft warns of COVID-19 phishing attack via Excel

Microsoft is warning users about an infected Excel email attachment that can wreak major havoc when opened. The massive phishing attack started on May 12 appearing as emails from the Johns Hopkins Center with an Excel attachment that claims to be US deaths caused by the Coronavirus.

OCR warns there is an individual posing as OCR Investigator

On April 3, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued an alert that an individual posing as an OCR Investigator has contacted HIPAA covered entities in an attempt to obtain protected health information (PHI).

Cyberthreats are lurking in COVID-19 pandemic

“As more of our employees work from home and are under the collective stress of the COVID-19 pandemic we become easy victims,” said David Ginsberg, PrivaPlan president. “Security reminders and awareness at this time are essential.”