Medical-Billing / 'You Owe a Copay' Phish
A message claims you owe a medical copay or balance and links to a fake payment page or scam call that steals your card and health details.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
You receive a bill or 'past-due' notice for a copay or medical balance, with a link to pay or a number to call. Because medical billing is confusing and common, people pay without verifying. The link is a fake payment page harvesting your card, or the call collects card and insurance details. Real providers can confirm balances through your patient portal or their official billing office; unexpected 'pay now' medical texts with links deserve a direct verification.
What it usually looks like
- A copay/balance-due notice by text or email.
- A 'pay now' link or a number to call.
- Pressure about collections or service holds.
- Requests for card and insurance info.
Common warning signs
- Medical 'pay now' links you can't verify.
- Bills for visits you don't recognize.
- Pressure and collections threats.
- Payment pages not tied to your provider's portal.
Example wording scammers use
“Your outstanding copay of $148 is past due. Pay now to avoid collections: medbill-pay.net”
“This is the billing office — please provide your card to settle your balance.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Your card and insurance details.
- Your health/personal data.
- To exploit billing confusion.
This is general safety information, not professional advice. It is not legal, financial, medical, or immigration advice, and it does not create a professional relationship. For your own situation, speak with a qualified professional or the official organisation involved. If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency number.
What to do
- Verify any balance through your patient portal or the provider's official billing number.
- Don't pay via a link in an unexpected text/email.
- Ask for an itemized bill.
- Report suspicious messages.
What to do if you already responded
- Call your card issuer; watch for misuse of health/insurance info.
- Verify your real balance with the provider.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.