SEIU 775 Benefits Group in Washington has advised about 140,000 of its members concerning the compromise of some of their protected health information (PHI). On April 4, 2020, SEIU 775 Benefits Group’s IT team noticed suspicious activity in the group’s data systems, which include the notable removal of a number of data files.
Third party digital forensics specialists were employed to support with the inquiry and established that an unauthorized individual had viewed the systems and removed selected files that had personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information. The forensics professionals didn’t get any proof that suggests the download or viewing of any PHI. There was also no report obtained that indicates the improper use of PHI.
The types of data possibly accessed only contained names, addresses, and Social Security numbers. Health plan eligibility or enrollment data were likewise probably compromised. Impacted people were provided free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services via Kroll for one year.
50,000 Woodholme Gastroenterology Associates Patients Affected by Breach
Woodholme Gastroenterology Associates located in Baltimore, MD has uncovered that an unauthorized person obtained access to its networks and exfiltrated records that contained patients’ sensitive information on February 25, 2021.
The provider discovered the security breach on March 1, 2021 and quickly took action to avert any more unauthorized access. A comprehensive assessment of the files that were exfiltrated or likely accessed showed that they comprised patients’ names, birth dates, email addresses, addresses, patient ID numbers, diagnoses and/or treatment data. The driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers and medical insurance details of some patients were also possibly affected.
Free credit monitoring and identity protection services were given to people whose driver’s license number or Social Security number was compromised. The HHS’ Office for Civil Rights breach website shows around 50,000 patients were impacted.
Employee of Vitality Senior Living Faced with Identity Theft Lawsuit
An accredited nursing assistant previously working at Vitality Senior Living in Arlington, VA was charged with theft of the identities of 6 residents she is taking care of.
In April, the female purportedly confessed to the executive director that she deceptively encashed a $1,200 check of one of the residents. Vitality Senior Living fired the nursing assistant from employment and alerted the police authorities. The victim filed a complaint to the police and claimed there were 6 blank checks taken from his checkbook and two were cashed out. The victim furthermore mentioned a few fraudulent payments were made using his debit card.
The name of the suspect was written on one cashed check and her brother’s name was signed on the other check. The brother was likewise working at Vitality Senior Living yet wasn’t charged relative to the case. The police obtained images of the victim’s debit cards and driver’s license on the suspect’s telephone as well as evidence that an additional 5 residents were targeted, three were defrauded. The law enforcement furthermore got proof that the woman had attempted to submit fake tax returns and unemployment claims for persons whose identities couldn’t be validated.
The woman is slated to be in court on May 25, 2021 about over a dozen identity theft cases.