Posted On April 4, 2023 Consumer Privacy & Data Breaches
April 4, 2023 – After discovering on March 31, 2023, that an unauthorized entity had gained access to sensitive patient information contained in its computer system, Southwest Healthcare Services (“Southwest”) notified the Attorney General of Montana of the data breach. According to the official filing by the company, the event led to the exposure of customers’ personal information, including names, addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, health insurance information, Social Security numbers, and protected health information. As it was determined that customer information had been compromised, Southwest immediately began notifying those whose information had been compromised.
The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are now looking into the Southwest incident. We offer free consultations to anyone who has received a breach notification and is interested in learning about the hazards of identity theft and what they can do to protect themselves. We will also review your legal options for collecting compensation from Southwest Healthcare Services.
Bowman, North Dakota is home to Southwest Healthcare Services, a non-profit organization that offers medical care. In 2001, St. Luke’s Tri-State Hospital and Sunset Care Corporation merged to become what is now known as Southwest Healthcare Services. In September 2002, Bowman Ambulance Service was absorbed by Southwest Healthcare Services of Bowman. In addition to Sunrise Village, the corporation is responsible for running Sunset Nursing Home and Southwest Medical Clinic. The yearly sales for Southwest Healthcare Services are about $27 million, and the company employs more than 138 individuals.
Southwest Airlines discovered that an unauthorized third party may have gained access to the protected health information of some of its customers, according to the Montana attorney general and a notice posted on the airline’s website. Southwest did not specify how it learned of the hack, but once it did, it enlisted the help of third-party cybersecurity experts to see if any patient information was compromised and to determine how it happened.
On January 31, 2023, Southwest announced the results of an investigation into a hacker who gained access to company files between October 28, 2022 and October 29, 2023. Southwest found out that some of the documents had private health information. The company immediately began reviewing the affected files after learning that sensitive customer data had been made available to an unauthorized entity. Information such as names, addresses, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, health insurance details, Social Security numbers, and protected health information may have been compromised, though the exact details will vary from person to person.
Southwest Healthcare Services notified those whose personal information was stolen in the recent data security incident by letter on March 31, 2023.
Many different types of crimes are possible now that hackers have access to the data exposed in the Southwest Healthcare Services data breach. They can perpetrate various crimes or sell the details to others on the dark web who are interested in doing so.
The information stolen in the malware attack might be used in countless destructive ways. If hackers gain access to your financial details, they could potentially use them to make unauthorized purchases using your accounts and credit cards. And they can use your personal information to apply for new credit cards and loans. Names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth are the bare minimum information required to apply for a credit card, all of which were included in the Southwest data breach.
In addition to financial identity theft, hackers can use your data for other purposes as well. Also, they are capable of committing medical ID theft. They can get medical care in your name and stick you with the price if they have access to your protected health information. This can cause your medical history and medication records to be incorrect.
The consumer privacy lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. help customers affected by data and security breaches pursue legal solutions by offering free consultations. By explaining your rights in clear, concise terms, we help you make an informed decision about your next steps. If you are a victim of the Southwest Healthcare Services data breach, Console & Associates, P.C. will investigate at no charge to you and offer advice on how to proceed. If you decide to pursue a case, rest assured that we don’t get paid unless you do. If your claim is successful, legal fees are either paid out of the funds recovered or by the defendant. If your claim is not successful, you pay nothing.
To schedule your free consultation, just call (866) 778-5500 today or fill out our secure contact form.
