Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Data Breach Claims Identites of 1.4 Million Patients Featured
TTUHSC has begun notifying victims of a serious data breach following a cyber attack by the Interlock ransomware gang.
A class action lawsuit was filed against Texas Tech University Health Science Center (“HSC”) after it revealed is was the target of a data breach that affected the personal identifying and sensitive health information of over 1.4 million individuals.
According to reports, 1.4 million patients from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso have had their data published on the dark-net by the Interlock ransomware gang. The information includes and includes folders belonging to specific doctors, admissions data, and comprehensive medical records.
About Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is is an educational institution and healthcare provider based in Lubbock, Texas, and operates nearly a dozen schools and satellite campuses across West Texas.
What Happened?
According to information posted on its website, “In September 2024, the HSCs identified issues that resulted in a temporary disruption to some computer systems and applications. Immediately after identifying these issues, the HSCs took steps to ensure the security of the network and began an investigation.”
The investigation confirmed that a cyber security event caused the technology issues, resulting in access to or removal of certain files and folders from the HSCs’ network between September 17 and September 29, 2024. As a result, the HSCs conducted a detailed review of the systems involved to determine what information they may contain and to whom it belongs.
What Information was Stolen?
The investigation revealed that 2.63 terabytes of data representing 2,102,989 files was stolen during the breach. Information stolen includes –
- name
- date of birth
- address
- Social Security number
- driver’s license number
- government-issued identification number (passport scans)
- financial account/ tax account information
- health insurance information
- medical information, including medical records numbers
- billing/claims data
- diagnosis and treatment information.
What is Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Doing To Protect My Identity?
To help prevent a recurrence, the HSCs are reviewing existing security policies and procedures as part of the investigation and are implementing additional safeguards to enhance system protection and monitoring.
The HSCs are also notifying regulators, as well as potentially impacted individuals and organizations, to enable those potentially affected to take any steps they deem necessary to protect their information. Out of an abundance of caution and as part of the direct notification, the HSCs are providing potentially affected individuals with access to complimentary credit monitoring services.
What Can Hackers Do With My Information?
Stolen PII and PHI can be used to commit identity theft, open new credit accounts, make unauthorized purchases or obtain loans. Cybercriminals have recently targeted America’s essential industries and in so doing have forced millions of Americans to face the fallout from these attacks.
Leaked or stolen data can be sold on the dark web forums and may be used for fraud and medical identity theft, a type of fraud, where threat actors use stolen information to submit forged claims to insurers.
Clients affected by the breach are exposed to a heightened and imminent risk of fraud and identity theft. They must now and in the future closely monitor their financial accounts to guard against identity theft and fraud.
If you receive a data breach notification from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. A data breach lawyer can help you learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, as well as discuss your legal options at no cost to you. For more information, please review these recommendations.
Protect Your Identity. Join the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Data Breach Class Action.
The lawsuit alleges that TTUHSC breached its duties under common law and the Federal Trade Commission Act to implement reasonable security measures, comply with industry standards and federal data-security regulations, encrypt sensitive data..
If you receive a notification letter from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, you are at permanent risk of identity theft and the devastating financial and legal consequences that go along with it.
You may be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit to recover compensation for loss of privacy, time spent dealing with the breach, out-of-pocket costs, and more.
The lawsuit looks to cover anyone in the USA whose private information was compromised by the breach announced by TTUHSC.
Please complete the form shown on this page and a data breach lawyer will contact you.