Skip to main content

Bank robber Willie Sutton, when asked why he robbed banks, is reported to have said "Because that's where the money is." While the statement's authenticity is uncertain, its lesson is proven: Scammers and thieves follow the money. And there's plenty of money in health care.

Cyberattacks

Many scams, such as embezzlement, aren't new. Any time money changes hands there's a possibility some employees will help themselves. But now, with the Internet changing the way we communicate and share information, a new breed of criminal has emerged. From predatory journals that erode the scientific process to phishing and ransomware, there are plenty of dangers to watch for.

Log in or create a free account to keep reading.


Join APTA to get unlimited access to content.

  1. Taking the Physician's Pulse: Tackling Cyber Threats in Healthcare. Accenture and the American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/sites/default/files/media-browser/public/government/advocacy/medical-cybersecurity-findings.pdf. Accessed May 30, 2018.
  2. 8 in 10 doctors have experienced a cyberattack in practice. AMA Wire. December 12, 2017. https://wire.ama-assn.org/practice-management/8-10-doctors-have-experienced-cyberattack-practice. Accessed May 30, 2018.
  3. Malicious software (malware) in Technopedia. https://www.techopedia.com/definition/4015/malicious-software-malware May 30, 2018.
  4. 2018 Breach Briefing. Beazley Breach Response Services. www.beazley.com/bbr. Accessed May 30, 2018.
  5. 2017 Cost of Breach Study: United States. Ponemon Institute. June 2017. https://info.resilientsystems.com/hubfs/IBM_Resilient_Branded_Content/White_Papers/2017_Global_CODB_Report_Final.pdf. Accessed May 30, 2018.
  6. Hancock Health Experiences Cyber Attack. News & blog. https://www.hancockregionalhospital.org/2018/01/6262/. Accessed May 31, 2018.
  7. Quinn S. Hospital pays $55,000 ransom; no patient data stolen. Daily Reporter. January 15, 2018. http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/2018/01/16/01162018dr_hancock_health_pays_ransom/. Accessed May 31, 2018.
  8. Langde R. WannaCry Ransomware: a detailed analysis of the attack. TechPerspective. September 26, 2017. https://techspective.net/2017/09/26/wannacry-ransomware-detailed-analysis-attack/. Accessed June 12, 2018.
  9. Employment Scam Targeting College Students Remains Prevalent. Federal Bureau of Investigation Alert Number I-011817-PSA. January 18, 2017. https://www.ic3.gov/media/2017/170118.aspx. Accessed May 30, 2018.
  10. Scam Targeting Concentra Job Candidates. Concentra. August 29, 2017. https://www.concentra.com/resource-center/articles/scam-targeting-concentra-job-canidates/. Accessed May 30, 2018.
  11. Warning: Potential Recruitment Scam. Kindred Healthcare. https://www.kindredhealthcare.com/careers/recruitment-scam. Accessed May 30, 2018.
  12. Beall J. Predatory journals threaten the quality of published medical research. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(1), pp 3-5.
  13. Cook C. Predatory Journals: the worst thing in publishing, ever. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(1), pp 1-2.
  14. New Medicare cards. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. May 24, 2018. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/New-Medicare-Card/. Accessed May 31, 2018.
  15. FBI Tech Tuesday-Building a Digital Defense Against Medicare Card Scams. FBI Portland. April 24, 2018. https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/portland/news/press-releases/fbi-tech-tuesdaybuilding-a-digital-defense-against-medicare-card-scams. Accessed May 31, 2018.

You Might Also Like...

News

APTA State Chapters Fuel Legislative Wins in 2025

Aug 6, 2025

As the 2025 legislative season has come to a close in most states, many APTA chapters achieved significant victories that improve payment, address provider

Article

Exciting Volunteer Opportunities Open Through Aug. 31

Aug 4, 2025

APTA is powered by members who step up, speak out, and drive the profession forward. Volunteering is not only a chance to influence the future of physical

News

APTA's Ongoing Advocacy on Payment Reform

Aug 4, 2025

Patients and providers are frustrated and angry. A broken Medicare system has failed to deliver high-quality care and provide needed payment levels so