The Obama administration is seeking to bolster privacy protections for Americans signing up for the federally mandated Affordable Healthcare Act, Reuters reports. To help stem identity theft, personal privacy protection and fraud, the administration plans to launch a toll-free telephone number to report fraud incidents and an online verification system. On Wednesday, Attorney General Eric Holder met with Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez to discuss the privacy and security implications of the impending law. Concern has also been expressed about counselors—also called navigators—who are set to educate and help Americans enroll in the health exchanges. A House Committee report stated, “There are already reports from across the country that scam artists are attempting to impersonate navigators and assisters to steal credit card information and personally identifiable information in order to take advantage of massive confusion about Obamacare.”
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