Anthem Insurer (Photo : www.kmov.com)
A huge data breach compromised about 80 million personal data information and 775,606 health insurance users in North Carolina will be affected. The cyber attacked targeted Anthem, the world's second largest insurer. The insurer disclosed on Tuesday that they will notify all affected users via email and they will also offer a free two year credit protection which will include identity theft insurance, according to Charlotte Observer.
The cyber theft incident gained access to around ten years of private customer information from Anthem database account. Most of the customers have subscriptions to Blue Cross and Blue Shield and other carriers.
The data information that were stolen were names, date of birth, ID numbers, Social security numbers, employment details and personal addresses.
The number of the affected users of Anthem from North Carolina is 601,347 subscribers of Anthem plans, 110,434 subscribers of non-Anthem plans, and 63,825 subscribers of unknown plans. Records dated back 2004 explained the Department of Insurance in North Carolina.
According to North Carolina Blue Cross and Blue Shield, about 180,204 of its current and previous customers were affected by the security breach which includes 69,266 who are locally living in the state and 77,143 who are current BCBSNC customers.
Moreover, around two million Anthem subscribers in Missouri have also been compromised with the cyber attack. One of three members in the state had their information have been accessed due to the security breach, Kmov reported.
Blue Cross member were targeted once they used health care services outside of the state or outside of their service area. Such claims would have been accepted and facilitated by Anthem on behalf of Blue Cross, explained Lew Borman, Blue Cross spokesman.
All affected members can visit the website AnthemFacts.com or dial 877-263-7995 to sign up for free credit monitoring and protection.
