Over 624,000 Impacted in Major Healthcare Data Breach: SSNs, Financial Data, and Identity Theft Risks
A massive healthcare data breach has exposed the sensitive information of more than 624,000 individuals, putting Social Security numbers, financial details, and account credentials at risk.
The breach targeted Healthcare Services Group Inc. (HSGI), a Pennsylvania-based company that manages dining, housekeeping, and laundry services for hospitals across 48 U.S. states. According to BleepingComputer, HSGI has begun notifying impacted individuals through official letters.
Hackers infiltrated HSGI’s network in late September 2024, but the intrusion wasn’t discovered until October 7, 2024. An investigation revealed that a wide range of personal data may have been compromised, including:
- Full names
- Social Security numbers
- Driver’s license and state ID numbers
- Financial account details
- Login credentials
The type of data exposed varies for each victim. Some may only have had their names leaked, while others also had SSNs and financial data exposed.
If you receive a data breach notification letter from HSGI, it will outline exactly what information of yours was exposed. The company is offering affected individuals free identity theft protection services from Experian, though the coverage period (12 months vs. 24 months) has not been confirmed.
Even though there’s no evidence yet of misuse of stolen data, experts warn that hackers could use the information for phishing attacks, fraud, or identity theft. Victims are urged to:
- Monitor bank and credit card accounts closely
- Watch for suspicious emails or texts
- Avoid clicking unknown links or downloading attachments
- Use trusted antivirus software on all devices
The healthcare industry has become a prime target for cybercriminals due to the high value of medical and financial records. Analysts believe this will not be the last attack of its kind, as similar breaches have been reported throughout the past year.
While individuals cannot control a company’s cybersecurity, they can take proactive measures once a breach occurs. As experts warn: You may not stop the breach, but you can protect yourself from becoming the next victim of identity fraud.
