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Community Health Systems patients offered free credit monitoring and identity theft protection

In response to records being hacked

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 5, 2014) — Attorney General Jack Conway and his Office of Consumer Protection are encouraging Kentucky residents who may have been affected by a data breach recently announced by Community Health Systems to take advantage of one year of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services being offered by the company. On Aug. 19, CHS reported a data breach affecting at least 4.5 million patients nationwide.

telemedicine“I strongly encourage Kentuckians who were referred to or received services from physicians affiliated with Community Health Systems in the last five years to take advantage of this free offer, regardless of whether they’ve identified suspicious activity in their personal accounts,” Conway said.  “Additionally, patients should carefully review and monitor their credit reports and bank accounts for possible unauthorized activity.”

CHS has confirmed that its computer network was the target of an external criminal cyberattack in April and June of this year. The breach allowed hackers to gain access to patient names, addresses, social security numbers, birthdates, and telephone numbers. The company has said that the stolen data did not include patient credit card, medical, or clinical information and indicates that the data breach occurred in physician practices affiliated with the company, not in its hospitals.

Patients affected will be receiving a letter from CHS explaining the breach and how to enroll in the identity theft protection and credit monitoring services.

Consumers with questions or concerns about the cyberattack are encouraged to call 1-855-205-6951 or visit www.chs.net. For information on preventing identity theft or to report suspicious activity, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-438-4338 or the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-888-432-9257.