ECHS Advisory Warns Against Sharing Medical Documents Online

The Central Organisation of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) has issued an important advisory cautioning beneficiaries against sharing their medical records and personal documents on public websites or online platforms. The advisory, dated 07 October 2025, highlights growing cases of inadvertent disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and other sensitive health data, which could expose beneficiaries to misuse and cyber fraud.

Online “Free Services” Pose Hidden Risks

According to the advisory, several websites offering “free online services” are prompting users to upload documents from their computers or mobile devices in exchange for various services. Many ECHS beneficiaries—often unaware of potential vulnerabilities—are uploading sensitive files such as referral forms, medical reports, ECHS applications, and even ECHS card copies.
These digital uploads create opportunities for the data to be harvested by malicious actors.

Potential Cyber Threats for ECHS Members

ECHS warns that online sharing of medical or personal documents can lead to:

Identity theft
Creation of fake online profiles
Targeted scams using personal or medical data
Manipulation or misuse of health records

Cybercriminals and unauthorized entities may exploit such information for fraudulent purposes, placing beneficiaries at significant risk.

Strict Advice Against Sharing Personal Documents

Emphasizing the need for secure handling of personal data, the ECHS advisory clearly instructs:

All ECHS beneficiaries should not share their medical records, laboratory reports, or any personal documents on social media or public platforms.
— Extract from the ECHS Advisory dated 07 Oct 2025

The organisation highlights that protecting PII is essential not only for individual beneficiary security but also for the operational integrity of the ECHS system as a whole.

Call for Wide Dissemination

The advisory, signed by Col Anurag Bhardwaj, Director (S&A), instructs all Regional Centres and Polyclinics under ECHS to widely circulate this message to ensure maximum awareness among beneficiaries.

View ECHS letter: