Recently, in nearby South Bend, Indiana, a two-hospital health system was the victim of a major phishing attack. It notified 220,000 of its patients and employees that their protected health care information, as well as their social security numbers, has been compromised due to a phishing attack. Cyberattackers were able to illegally swipe data for over a year without being noticed. According to Hospital Business News, officials at Beacon Health System in Indiana, posted a breach notification on its website on May 22, 2015, explaining a phishing attack that started back in November 2013. The medical provider explained that unauthorized individuals gained access to Beacon employees' email accounts. These hackers had full access to these files from November 2013 to January 2015.
The cyberattackers were able to hack into the personal and protected health information of both employees and patients of the hospital system. Hackers illegally obtained a great deal of important and confidential information including patient names, ID numbers, social security numbers, dates of birth, medical diagnoses, treatment data, drivers' license information, and other medical-related information. Hospital officials did not begin investigating the phishing attack until March 25, 2015, according to a company statement. Affected patients from the attack have been issued a year of credit monitoring services by the health system.
In the recent past, phishing attacks have become more and more common. According to Get Cyber Safe, 156 million phishing emails are sent out each day. However, out of these emails sent, most of them are sent to spam and only around 10% make it through. Out of the emails that make it through to inboxes, half of them are opened, and on average, 80,000 people fall for a scam every day and share their personal information.
If you're involved in any type of accident, chances our that you have given your personal health care information to hospitals around you. Phishing attacks are becoming more popular and you should be careful and smart about who holds your personal information. If you've been involved in any type of personal injury accident, contact an attorney at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our lawyers specialize in all types of injury cases. Call us today for a free consultation at 844.4MI.FIRM