A computer breach impacting Massacusetts' Prescription Advantage drug insurance plan placed tens of thousands of senior citizens at risk for identity theft.
How many victims? 150,000 seniors.
What kind of personal information? Undisclosed.
What happened? Details are sketchy as to how the intrusion played out or was detected.
What was the response? Letters were sent to victims, warning them of the breach and advising them to monitor their credit card and bank accounts. Police departments also have been notified. In addition, the Office of Elder Affairs is studying its policies to learn how a similar incident can be avoided in the future.
Details: A suspect has been charged in the breach, but he or she was not named.
Quote:"Prescription Advantage is taking this seriously. They have extensive security measures in place." - Alison Goodwin, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Source:SouthCoastToday.com, (Mass.) Standard-Times, "150,000 Bay State seniors notified of Prescription Advantage security breach," Nov. 30.
How many victims? 150,000 seniors.
What kind of personal information? Undisclosed.
What happened? Details are sketchy as to how the intrusion played out or was detected.
What was the response? Letters were sent to victims, warning them of the breach and advising them to monitor their credit card and bank accounts. Police departments also have been notified. In addition, the Office of Elder Affairs is studying its policies to learn how a similar incident can be avoided in the future.
Details: A suspect has been charged in the breach, but he or she was not named.
Quote:"Prescription Advantage is taking this seriously. They have extensive security measures in place." - Alison Goodwin, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Source:SouthCoastToday.com, (Mass.) Standard-Times, "150,000 Bay State seniors notified of Prescription Advantage security breach," Nov. 30.
