Massachusetts health officials have issued a warning to over 134,000 individuals enrolled in specific state programs, informing them of a recent global security incident involving a third-party data breach. The breach, linked to the file-transfer software “MOVEit,” has exposed personal information of both current and past participants in programs like MassHealth, the State Supplement Program, Family Resource Centers, and more.
UMass Chan Medical School detected the vulnerability in MOVEit on June 1, and subsequent investigations revealed that files containing sensitive information were compromised, encompassing details such as names, dates of birth, health records, Social Security numbers, and financial account data.
While UMass Chan and state systems remain unaffected, the breach has had broader implications, impacting not only state and federal government agencies but also financial services firms, pension funds, and various companies and non-profit organizations.
Impacted individuals have been notified through various channels, and they are advised to take proactive measures such as monitoring their financial accounts and enrolling in free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services. UMass Chan is offering these protective services particularly to those whose Social Security numbers and financial data were compromised.
For additional information and support, individuals affected by the breach can visit the provided link. Furthermore, those who have received notifications about their data being involved can seek assistance by contacting 855-862-7769 during regular business hours.
This incident underscores the growing concern of data breaches and the need for heightened cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive personal information, as state and federal entities work collectively to address these challenges and offer protective resources to affected individuals.
