Digital Security for Patients

Your Privacy Is Our Priority: Stay Alert to Scams

At Ramsay Health Care, we use secure systems and protocols to keep your information safe at all times, but digital safety is a shared effort. In this article you will find some useful information on how to protect your information and feel confident that your data is secure, allowing you to focus on your health.

Stay alert to scams

Cybercriminals may attempt to impersonate our staff or services to trick you into sharing personal information using a number of methods. Common scams to watch for:

Fake Emails (this is known as “Phishing”)

You might receive emails that look like they’re from us, asking you to click a link, download a file, or confirm personal details.

What to do:

• Check the sender’s email address carefully by hovering over the display name to reveal the full address, since attackers often use familiar-looking names to disguise suspicious or fraudulent accounts.
• Don’t click on unexpected links or attachments.
• If unsure, contact us directly using our verified phone numbers or website.

Suspicious Texts (this is known as “Smishing”)

Scammers can send you text messages that look like they're from us, asking you to fill out forms or confirm appointments using unfamiliar links.

What to do:

• Avoid clicking on links in texts unless you’re sure they’re from us.
• Reach out to our hospital team if a message seems suspicious

Impersonation Calls (this is called “Vishing”)

Scammers may call pretending to be hospital staff, asking for medical history, payment information, or bank details.

What to do:

• Be cautious with unsolicited calls requesting sensitive information.
• Hang up and call us back using the contact number for your hospital.
• Never share passwords or financial details over the phone.

How You Can Help Keep Your Information Safe

While we work hard to protect your data behind the scenes, your own actions play a vital role in keeping your information secure. Here are some simple but powerful steps you can take:

1. Be Mindful of What You Share
   • Avoid sharing personal, medical, or financial information over email, text, or phone unless you’re certain you’re speaking with a verified member of our team
   • If someone you don’t recognise asks for insurance details, payment information, or login credentials unexpectedly, pause and verify before responding. If you are suspicious, follow the same steps as with vishing: put the phone down and call your hospital directly using its official contact number to confirm the request.
     
     
2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
   • Passwords should be 14 characters long, made up of letters, numbers, and symbols.
   • Don’t reuse the same password across different websites or apps.
   • Consider using a password manager to keep track of your login details securely.
     
     
3. Turn On Two-Step Verification
   • Many online services, including patient portals, email accounts, and mobile apps, offer two-step verification (also known as multi-factor authentication).
   • This feature adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second form of identification, such as a code sent to your phone or an authentication app, in addition to your password.
   • Even if someone manages to obtain your password, they won’t be able to access your account without that second step.
   • Enabling this feature is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent unauthorised access to your personal and medical information.
     
     
4. Keep Your Devices Secure
   • Always install updates for your phone, tablet, or computer, they often include important security fixes.
   • Use antivirus software and enable automatic updates when possible.
   • Lock your device with a PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
     
     
5. Log Out When You’re Done
   • Especially when using shared or public devices, make sure to log out of your patient portal, email, or any health-related apps.
   • Avoid saving passwords on public computers.
     
     
6. Scan QR Codes Safely
   • Use your phone’s built-in camera application to scan QR codes, and only from sources you trust. Be cautious, scammers can create fake signage or messages that look official.
   • Avoid third-party QR scanning apps, which may contain adware or malware that can redirect you to unsafe websites,  even when scanning legitimate codes.
   • Always verify the website address before entering any personal information, especially if the page looks unfamiliar or suspicious.
     
     
7. Stay Alert to Suspicious Activity
• If you receive a message, call, or email that seems unusual, even if it appears to be from us, don’t respond right away.
• Look for signs like poor grammar, urgent requests, or unfamiliar links.
• Contact our hospital team directly to confirm whether the communication is legitimate.

We’re Here for You

If you should ever receive a message, call, or email that seems unusual, claiming to be from our hospital, please get in touch using the phone number provided on your paperwork or welcome letter.

Staying alert helps protect your personal information, and reporting suspicious activity to our teams, allows us to respond quickly and prevent cyberfraud.