On December 2, 2024, Connecticut GI and Gastroenterology Associates of Fairfield reported a data breach involving the theft of 10,568 patients’ protected health information (PHI).
What happened
Connecticut GI and Gastroenterology Associates of Fairfield confirmed a data breach affecting 10,568 patients following unauthorized access to their servers between June 5 and June 7, 2024. The breach, discovered on June 19, involved an unauthorized party copying sensitive information, including names and financial account details.
The clinics promptly secured their servers, launched an investigation, and began reviewing the data impacted. On November 26, 2024, notification letters were sent to affected individuals, offering complimentary credit monitoring services.
What was said
The clinic’s notification letter states, “We take this incident and the obligation to safeguard the information in our care very seriously.”
Furthermore, “We encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account statements and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity to detect errors over the next 12 to 24 months.”
The bottom line
Patients affected by the Connecticut GI and Gastroenterology Associates of Fairfield breach must monitor their financial accounts and use credit monitoring services to reduce potential risks.
FAQs
What is a data breach?
A breach occurs when an unauthorized party gains access, uses or discloses protected health information (PHI) without permission. Breaches include hacking, losing a device containing PHI, or sharing information with unauthorized individuals.
See also: How to respond to a data breach
What should individuals do if their data has been compromised?
If individuals suspect their data has been compromised, they must monitor their accounts for suspicious activity and report any unauthorized transactions immediately.
Are there any costs associated with placing a fraud alert or credit freeze?
No, under US law, consumers are entitled to a free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. So, placing a fraud alert or credit freeze does not incur any costs.
