NHI Warns: 'Abnormal NHI Card Usage, Immediate Suspension'? Ministry of Health and Welfare Issues Official Statement! Take This One Action or Risk Full Identity Theft

If you receive a LINE message saying your 'NHI card usage is abnormal and will be suspended immediately,' do not panic. The Central Bureau of National Health Insurance (CBNHI), under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, issued a warning today (the 13th) about a recent surge in scams where fraudsters impersonate the 'National Health Insurance Bureau' via SMS and LINE messages, sending malicious phishing links. These messages exploit public anxiety over losing medical access to trick users into clicking. The CBNHI emphasizes that such messages are entirely fraudulent; recipients should delete them immediately and refrain from clicking links or entering any personal information.

Over the past two weeks, scattered reports have emerged from citizens receiving messages with fake customer service portals or processing URLs, designed to create a sense of urgency that 'services will be discontinued.' According to Huang Chien-chiang, Section Chief of the Coverage Division at CBNHI, once users accidentally click these links, they risk having their account credentials, passwords, ID numbers, and other critical personal data stolen. In some cases, malware may be installed on their smartphones or computers.

The CBNHI advises that if users mistakenly click a malicious link, they must not perform any actions on the page or input data. They should immediately consult IT professionals to inspect device security and closely monitor accounts and personal information for suspicious activity to prevent financial loss.

To help users identify legitimate accounts, the CBNHI offers three key verification tips. First, look for the 'blue shield' badge: the official LINE account is named 'NHI Administration' and displays a verified blue shield icon approved by LINE. Second, official accounts never proactively add users as friends or send private messages urging action. Third, be alert to outdated agency names—since the agency has been renamed the 'Central Bureau of National Health Insurance' (commonly 'CBNHI'), any message using the old term 'NHI Bureau' is a clear sign of fraud.

The CBNHI urges the public to remain calm when receiving suspicious messages and to follow the 'three no's': do not click links, do not enter personal information, and do not follow instructions. For any concerns about NHI card status or message authenticity, do not call numbers provided in the message. Instead, contact the official toll-free hotline directly:

- Landline: 0800-030-598 or 4128-678 - Mobile: (02) 4128-678