Hundreds of Thousands of Records Stolen from Washington Cancer Center

  • Published: Jan 03, 2024
  • Last Updated: Jan 05, 2024

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (FHCC) is a three-location care network that delivers solutions for cancer patients. They are an independent organization that provides experience for the University of Washington’s Medicine programs. FHCC’s multiple locations allow for over 400 treatment trials, giving even patients with advanced diagnoses hope for the future. Three state attorney generals have published breach filings concerning FHCC; in November, assailants accessed their network and stole the information of thousands of patients.

How Did the Attack Occur? 

The data security incident published on the FHCC website offers the most information about the event; according to it, an unauthorized party accessed FHCC’s network and captured information related to patients from the system. Officials discovered the attack after finding unauthorized activity within some areas of the clinical network. None of the resources indicate how the bad actors made the attack possible; however, FHCC also has a notice of lost technology on its website. Whether the two events are connected is unclear, as the notice suggests the data within can be erased “if” it connects to the internet. However, the tech hasn’t come online; thus, they cannot definitively state if the data within the tech is compromised or connected to the breach.

What Information Was Viewed or Stolen? 

The Montana Attorney General’s Office published a consumer notice sample displaying data elements potentially compromised in the event. The data significantly includes patient information, but specific instances of exposure differ between individuals. Data potentially involved in this breach include names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, birthdays, Social Security Numbers, patient account numbers, medical record details, provider names, lab results, and diagnosis/treatment details. The notice further states that the assailants did not access the FHCC medical record system, MyChart, or affiliate platforms.

How Did Fred Hutch Cancer Center Admit to the Breach? 

FHCC first gave a press release around November 19th, 2023. They outlined the events up to then and mapped out the proceeding investigation. The concluding report indicated that the unauthorized actor accessed the network from November 19th to November 25th. After expelling the bad actor, officials worked to review the scope of the event. Their current website press notice suggests officials sent letters around December 20th.

What Will Become of the Stolen Information? 

The regulator notice published on Washington State’s breach filing suggests the breach may impact at least 270,597 residents. However, the breach has also impacted Oregon, Montana, and California residents. Subsequently, 270k is likely the low side of the overall impact figure. Until Maine or the DHHS publish filings, the final breach number remains unclear. 

What Should Affected Parties Do in the Aftermath of the Breach? 

Patients with data exposed to this breach must take preventative steps. Their data is helpful for many criminal activities, including financial and medical fraud, identity theft, and impersonation. Consequently, patients must begin securing their accounts by changing passwords and contact data wherever possible while enabling high-level security procedures like multi-factor authentications. They must also request an up-to-date Explanation of Benefits and insurer statements from their providers quarterly or biannually. For even more security, they should invest in medical ID monitoring services; the right monitor will assist victims in mitigating damages. Don’t wait for a physical notice to start protecting yourself—preventative measures are an instant way to safeguard your investments.

Related Articles

Instagram Vulnerability Allowed Hackers Access to Control Your Phone

Security experts Check Point Research discovered a critical vulnerability while examining Instagra ... Read More

Alien Malware Infects More than 226 Mobile Apps and Steals Bank Data

As reported on September 24, 2020, by ZDNet and ThreatPost, a new strain of malware named “A ... Read More

Universal Health Systems Hit by Ransomware Attack

Universal Health Systems (UHS), a Fortune 500 company owning more than 400 hospitals across the co ... Read More

Exchange Server Bug Exposes a Big Risk to Hackers

Months after Microsoft released a patch to fix a serious flaw in MS Exchange Server, more than 61% ... Read More

Clients’ Bank Data Exposed in Blackbaud Ransomware Attack

Blackbaud software was victim to a ransomware attack last May, and new information suggests that c ... Read More

Latest Articles

What You Need to Know about the Hot Topic Data Breach

What You Need to Know about the Hot Topic Data Breach

Hot Topic plays in the fashion, apparel, and shoe industry as a retailer of music-influenced apparel and accessories, such as jeans, tops, belts, dresses, pajamas, sunglasses, jewelry, and tees.

Google Voice Scams: What They Are and How to Stay Safe

Google Voice Scams: What They Are and How to Stay Safe

Google Voice scams continue to pose a risk for users of this service. Scammers continuously attempt to lure users into divulging their verification PIN code.

What Are Pretexting Attacks: Scam Types and Security Tips?

What Are Pretexting Attacks: Scam Types and Security Tips?

Have you ever received a text from someone you do not know? Did you become alarmed by the message? Did the message contain information about you and the people you know?

Featured Articles

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

Buying your own home is the American Dream, but it might seem out of reach to those with bad credit. However, the good news is, if your credit is less than perfect, you do still have options and in most cases, can still buy a home.

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

Any good IT article on computers and network security will address the importance of strong, secure passwords. However, the challenge of good passwords is that most people have a hard time remembering them, so they use simple or obvious ones that pose a security risk.

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Senior scams are becoming a major epidemic for two reasons. First, seniors often have a lot of money in the bank from a life of working hard and saving.

Notice

By proceeding with this scan, you agree to let IDStrong run a Free Scan of supplied parameters of your personal information and provide free preliminary findings in compliance with our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice. You consent to us using your provided information to complete the Free Scan and compare it against our records and breach databases or sources to provide your Free preliminary findings report.

Rest assured: IDStrong will not share your information with third parties or store your information beyond what is required to perform your scan and share your results.

Free Identity Threat Scan
Instantly Check if Your Personal Information is Exposed
All fields below are required
Please enter first name
Please enter last name
Please enter a city
Please select a state
Please enter an age
Please enter an email address
Close