The Implanted Bandit - Why The "Red Flags" Rule Matters

A recent incident in Orange County, CA highlightsmight be made that they didn't take appropriate
why the FTC's "Red Flags" rule instituted insteps to prevent fraud. Of course, if the thief set
August of 2009 is so important. Last month, aup the credit account herself via an online
young woman was sentenced to 180 days in jailapplication the surgeon's office would not be to
and 3 years probation for ID theft. She opened ablame.
$12,000 credit line in another woman's name andProtect Yourself and Your Patients
used it to pay for replacement breast implantsEvery medical office that extends credit or
and liposuction.facilitates patient access to credit lines must be
The staff at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgerydiligent in detecting suspicious activity. If you
became suspicious after Ms. Pampellonne failed tohaven't created written procedures for your ID
show for her follow up appointments. DetectivesTheft Prevention Program, get on that right
ended up tracking her down using the serialaway! Medical ID theft has serious consequences
number on her old implants. It is unclear how thefor patients above and beyond a wrecked credit
outstanding debt will be resolved. Will the loanhistory. Here's a great educational article from the
company seek restitution from the surgeon?FTC that outlines some of the red flags
If the credit application was filled out at thehealthcare providers should watch out for.
doctor's office, that is a possibility. For example,Do you have a "red flag" story to tell? Let us
what if staff members failed to checkknow how your savvy employees caught an ID
Pampellonne's drivers license or other photo IDthief in the act.
against the information on the loan applicationPracticeManagerNetwork.
before sending it in for processing? An argument