Conn. Official: Anthem Customers Reporting Spike in Fraudulent Tax Returns

The Connecticut attorney general’s office says Anthem Inc. customers are increasingly reporting fraudulent tax returns being filed using their names and other personal information.

But spokesman Robert Blanchard said that because of the number and variety of recent data breaches, state officials cannot pinpoint the origin of potential identity theft.

The New Haven Register reports that Blanchard says it’s easy for an overlap to occur. The state recommends Anthem consumers who believe their identity has been compromised enroll in an identity theft protection program offered by Anthem.

A Department of Revenue Services spokeswoman says the increase in fraudulent state tax returns being filed is “quite significant.”

Anthem, which is the nation’s second-largest health insurance company, said in February as many as 80 million customers had their account information stolen.

Related:

• Investigators Suspect Anthem Breach Began with ‘Phishing’ of Employees
• Anthem Offers Customers ID Theft Protection for 2 Years
• States Begin Investigating Insurer Anthem’s Data Breach
• Health Insurer Anthem Hit with Cyber Attack

Topics Fraud Connecticut