Altos data breach overview:
- Who: Altos has sent data breach notices to patients who may have been affected by a June data breach.
- Why: An internal system containing personal and health information was exposed to the internet and accessed by an unauthorized third party, which may have removed data.
- Where: The breach affects certain healthcare consumers in California.
Altos, a billing services provider for many healthcare providers in Southern California, is alerting certain patients that their personal information was involved in a data breach.
According to the notice, Altos discovered on June 17 that one of its internal systems containing personal and health information was exposed to the internet. After confirming the exposure, Altos immediately blocked access to the system and began an investigation.
A cybersecurity firm hired by Altos determined that an unauthorized third party had accessed the system and may have removed data from it. The investigation concluded on July 21, revealing that the exposed information included patients’ names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and health information.
Altos says it has taken steps to secure its systems and prevent future incidents, including undergoing additional security reviews and strengthening its security processes and technology.
Altos offers free credit monitoring to affected individuals
Although Altos says it is not aware of any reports of identity fraud or improper use of the exposed information, the company is offering free credit monitoring services to affected individuals. Patients whose information was exposed are eligible for credit monitoring services from Epiq Privacy Solutions ID.
The credit monitoring service includes alerts for key changes to credit files, access to credit reports and scores, identity theft insurance, identity restoration services and dark web monitoring.
Altos advises affected patients to remain vigilant for incidents of fraud or identity theft by reviewing their account statements and credit reports for any unauthorized activity. The company also provides instructions for placing fraud alerts or credit freezes on credit reports.
Data breaches have become increasingly common in recent years, with a number of companies recently revealing that they have been victims of cyberattacks.
Tea recently announced a significant data breach involving its dating app, which is designed to enhance women’s safety by allowing background checks on men.
Have you been impacted by this Altos data breach? Let us know in the comments.
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