Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers Hospital Attacked By Ransomware

Missouri medical provider Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers was recently the target of a ransomware attack by hackers, resulting in the data of 152,000 patients being compromised or destroyed.

Hospital Attacked by Ransomware

On Sept. 3, hospital officials at Betty Jean Kerr reportedly became aware that their systems had been infected by malware and contacted the authorities regarding the situation. The data of approximately 152,000 patients were affected by the breach. These patients’ records were reportedly seized by the hackers.

Although it is currently unknown whether this data has been viewed by third parties, it is locked and inaccessible to the hospital or authorities. Unless a decryptor for the ransomware used to hack the data is released to the hospital, this data may never be recovered, according to reports. Despite attempts from hospital officials and a third-party IT firm, the data remains locked. Although the hackers responsible for breach did send a ransom request to the hospital, officials at Betty Jean Kerr declined to pay the sum.

According to a notice issued by the hospital, patient records and information including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, insurance information, pharmacy records, contact details including addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, messages and attachments, health information, financial account numbers, state or government identification numbers, mother’s maiden names, x-rays, dental records, and clinical data may all have been exposed or deleted by the data breach. Patients whose medical records and information were compromised by the ransomware attack will receive a year of free credit monitoring services.

In addition to notifying patients whose information was compromised by the ransomware attack, the hospital has also updated security measures and instituted a three-year email retention limit.

In a statement regarding the data breach, the hospital said, “Be assured that we place a top priority on protecting and keeping secure the information that has been entrusted to us. With the help of highly regarded security experts, we have put further safeguards in place to help prevent future cyberattacks.”

About Hospital Ransomware Attacks

Hospitals who have been targeted by hackers may be unable to appropriately care for patients due to locked or deleted medical records. Patients at a hospital attacked by ransomware may lose access to important medical records and medical histories. Patients whose personal data has been stolen may also be subject to a variety of future crimes, including identity theft, financial theft, and threats and ransom demands.

In addition to Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, many other hospitals and health centers have reportedly been targeted by ransomware attacks, including Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York, Starling Physicians in Connecticut, InterMed in Maine, North Florida OB-GYN/Women’s Care Florida, Park DuValle Community Health Center in Kentucky, Kalispel Regional Hospital in Montana, Campbell County Health in Wyoming, and DCH Regional Medical Center, Northport Medical Center, and Fayette Medical Center in Alabama.

If you are a patient at a hospital attacked by ransomware, your data may have been compromised. Victims whose personal data and medical records have been affected by hospital ransomware attacks may be eligible to hire an attorney and file a class action lawsuit.

Join a Free Hospital Ransomware Attack Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you were a patient at a hospital or healthcare facility affected by a ransomware attack that impacted your medical care, you may qualify to join a hospital ransomware attack class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.