Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 7 hrs ago
Italy warns of scam emails asking people to renew health cards
Italy’s Health Ministry has warned about fake health-card renewal emails sent in its name.
The messages ask recipients to click a link to renew or replace their health card.
The link leads to a fake website that requests personal and sensitive information, which could be used for fraud.
A replacement card is sent automatically when the old one expires, so people do not need to renew it through an email link.
The ministry says it does not ask people to enter personal details through unofficial online forms.
Recipients should not click the links or share information and should delete the messages.
For reliable updates, people should use official government channels.
Italy’s Health Ministry has warned about scam emails that use its name and ask people to renew or replace their health cards.
The emails direct recipients to fake websites that request personal and sensitive information.
The information could be used for illegal purposes, including document cloning and other fraud.
The ministry says it does not ask people to submit personal data through unofficial online forms.
It advises recipients not to click suspicious links, not to share information and to delete the messages.
- Who
- Italy’s Health Ministry issued the warning; email recipients are being targeted.
- What
- Scam emails falsely ask people to renew or replace their health cards and lead to websites that collect personal information.
- When
- The warning was reported on October 18 and 19, 2026.
- Where
- The emails target people in Italy; the fake websites are described as resembling official platforms.
- Why
- The emails are phishing attempts to steal personal and sensitive information.
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The Health Ministry warned about a similar scam email asking people to update details in their Electronic Health Record.
Reports said the ministry had warned that scam emails were asking people to replace their health cards.
- Target
- Italy’s health card, or Tessera Sanitaria
- Method
- Scam emails link to fake websites that request personal and sensitive information.
- Ministry guidance
- Do not click suspicious links, provide personal data or keep the message.
- Card renewal
- A replacement card is sent automatically when the old one expires.
- Previous warning
- A similar scam involving the Electronic Health Record was reported last April.
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What people are saying
Emails are circulating that improperly use the name of the Health Ministry and invite people to replace their health card.