Hackers attack Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield network
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Hackers broke into a health insurance database storing information for about 80 million people.
Hackers attacked the computer network of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has offices in 14 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin
One of our viewers sent Action News an email he received Thursday alerting him of the breach.
It reads in part, "Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield was the target of a very sophisticated external cyberattack. These attackers gained unauthorized access to Anthem's IT system and have obtained personal information."
Anthem's email says that the personal info includes names, birthdays, medical IDs/Social Security numbers, street addresses, email addresses, and employment information, including income data.
Our viewer tells us the email comes after he'd already reported suspicious activity to his insurance company.
He tells Action News he got a strange phone call asking for numbers tied to his insurance account.
Anthem says there's no evidence any credit card or medical information - like insurance claims or tests results - was compromised.
Customers should be on high alert for any signs of fraudulent activity and Anthem says affected customers will be contacted about free credit monitoring and ID protection services.
Anthem says it's working with federal investigators to learn who was behind the attack.
It has also hired an internet security company to improve its network defenses.
Meantime, the company has had security breaches in the past.
Its current CEO who was not running the company at the time has apologized to customers on a website Anthem has established to explain this latest problem.
LINKS:
Anthem Website
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
