Quebec’s public health insurance agency, the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), announced on Wednesday that fraudsters have been using the identities of health professionals to divert public funds. The agency said the scheme involved stealing personal information belonging to doctors, nurses and other medical staff, allowing the perpetrators to claim reimbursements or benefits intended for legitimate healthcare providers.
According to RAMQ, the identity theft cases were uncovered through internal audits and monitoring of payment requests. While the stolen credentials were used to obtain money, the agency emphasized that patient data remained untouched and was not part of the breach. No medical records or personal health information of patients were accessed or compromised in the reported incidents.
The agency’s statement highlighted that the misuse of health workers’ identities poses a financial risk to the provincial health system, which relies on accurate billing and reimbursement processes to fund services. By diverting funds through false claims, the fraud undermines resources that are meant for patient care.
RAMQ urged all health professionals to remain vigilant, verify any unexpected payments, and report suspicious activity to the agency promptly. The organization also indicated that it is collaborating with law‑enforcement authorities to investigate the perpetrators and to strengthen security measures around the handling of professional credentials.
The announcement comes amid broader concerns about cyber‑related crimes targeting public institutions across Canada. While the current cases involve identity theft rather than a breach of patient health information, RAMQ’s disclosure serves as a reminder of the need for robust safeguards to protect both financial and personal data within the health sector.
Authorities have not released details on the number of cases or the total amount of funds diverted, but they affirmed that steps are being taken to prevent further misuse of health workers’ identities and to recover any misappropriated money.