Texas Panhandle Centers has alerted its clients to a potential data breach that occurred on or about October 17, 2023. An unauthorized party accessed the organization’s computer systems, leading to an immediate response to contain the incident and a thorough investigation with the help of leading cybersecurity experts. By April 19, 2024, the investigation revealed that a limited number of files containing sensitive personal information, such as full names, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, state identification numbers, medical record numbers, and clinical information regarding diagnoses, lab results, medications, healthcare claims, and treatment, had potentially been acquired by the unauthorized party. For some individuals, Social Security numbers may also have been compromised.
Despite having no evidence of identity theft or financial fraud related to the incident, Texas Panhandle Centers is notifying affected individuals as a precautionary measure. Those whose Social Security numbers were impacted are being offered complimentary credit monitoring services. The organization is providing best practices for protecting personal information and has established a toll-free response line for clients with questions or those seeking to determine if they are eligible for credit monitoring. The response line is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
This incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the need for organizations to be prepared to respond quickly and effectively to potential breaches. Texas Panhandle Centers is committed to safeguarding the personal information of its clients and has taken steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. By engaging cybersecurity experts and offering support to those affected, the organization aims to mitigate the impact of this breach and restore trust among its clients.
