Massive breach at major insurer affects 80mn customers

As many as 80 million policyholders with one of the nation’s largest health insurance companies have had their data compromised, it emerged today.

Insurance News

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As many as 80 million current and former policyholders with one of the nation’s largest health insurance companies have had their data compromised, it emerged today.

Anthem Inc. announced a cyber breach into its computer system this morning, revealing that hackers had gained access to affected consumers’ names, birthdays, medical IDs, Social Security numbers, street addresses, e-mail addresses, employment information and income data.

No credit card information was stolen.

“We are still investigating to determine how many were impacted,” said Anthem spokesperson Cindy Wakefield. “At this point we believe it was tens of millions.”

If the 80 million count is accurate, it would make today’s breach the largest ever to affect a healthcare company.

Anthem discovered the breach last week and has been working with the FBI to identify the cyber criminals.

According to a USA Today report, the hack was probably not intended to steal medical information.

“The personally identifiable information they got is a lot more valuable than the fact that I stubbed my toe yesterday and broke it,” Tim Eades, CEO of California computer security firm vArmour, told the news service.

The company has established a website, www.anthemfacts.com, where concerned customers can learn more about the breach. They can also call 877-263-7995.

Anthem was previously known as WellPoint Inc., and has customers in 14 states.
 
 

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