Press Releases
Congresswoman Annie Kuster Calls on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration to Immediately Search Databases for Security BreachesMore than 140 New Hampshire medical practitioners have become victims of tax fraud in the last year
Washington, DC,
April 29, 2014
– This morning, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) at the Department of Justice to call for an immediate review of any database security breaches that may have led to tax fraud. The Congresswoman called on the agencies to work with the Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service to identify and swiftly remedy any such vulnerabilities. In the last year, over 140 physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and nurse practitioners were victims of tax fraud. Criminals somehow obtained their Social Security numbers and used them to falsely file tax returns in their name, presumably in an attempt to steal tax refunds. In her letter to CMS and DEA, Kuster expressed deep concern over how these criminals were able to obtain the Social Security numbers. “These reports are deeply concerning and have impacted the ability of medical providers in my state to file their tax returns,” said Kuster. “In addition to these impacted individuals, I am very concerned that many more of my constituents may have become targets for tax fraud. New Hampshire taxpayers deserve to live their lives without fear of tax fraud and abuse. ” Kuster called for immediate action to identify possible security breaches, fix any database vulnerabilities, and collaborate with health care practitioners to ensure they have the information they need to protect themselves from future crimes. She went on to ask the agencies to conduct full reviews, and to provide her staff with a complete report of any relevant findings. She will continue to closely monitor the situation moving forward. The full text of Kuster’s letter is included below: April 29th, 2014 The Honorable Marilyn Tavenner Administrator Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21244 The Honorable Michele Leonhart Administrator Drug Enforcement Administration Department of Justice 700 Army Navy Drive Arlington, VA 22202 Dear Administrator Tavenner and Administrator Leonhart: I write to bring to your attention recent reports that physicians and other health care providers in New Hampshire have become victims of tax fraud. In light of these troubling developments, I request that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration join forces with the Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service to thoroughly review your databases for any security breaches or vulnerabilities that may have facilitated these criminal acts. These reports are deeply concerning and have impacted the ability of medical providers in my state to file their tax returns. According to the New Hampshire Medical Society, more than 140 physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and nurse practitioners in New Hampshire have reported that someone else filed a tax return using their Social Security number. In addition to these impacted individuals, I am very concerned that many more of my constituents may have become targets for tax fraud. In order to prevent future fraudulent activity, I urge you to investigate whether the National Provider Identifier Registry and/or the Controlled Substances Act Registrants Database were compromised. Furthermore, I request that you collaborate to ensure that health care providers have the information they need to protect themselves from future crimes. New Hampshire taxpayers deserve to live their lives without fear of tax fraud and abuse. To that end, I request that you conduct a full review of your databases’ security and that you keep my staff apprised of any relevant information that would be of benefit to my constituents. Thank you for your time and consideration on this important issue. Sincerely, Ann McLane Kuster Member of Congress ### |