September 4, 2014
Las Vegas, NV - Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez
Masto is encouraging all Nevada residents who were referred to or received
services from physicians affiliated with the Community Health Systems, Inc.
(CHS) in the last five years to review their credit reports and accounts for
possible unauthorized activity. Affected patients should take advantage of the
one year free credit monitoring being offered by the company in the wake of the
data breach announced earlier this month. CHS is the organization that operates
Mesa View Regional Hospital in Mesquite, Nev.
“Information available through the Community Health Systems website confirms
that there are multiple physician practices in both Mesquite, Nevada, and
Bullhead City, Arizona that are affiliated with CHS,” said Masto. “I encourage
those people who may have seen a physician in Mesquite or Bullhead City in the
last five years to check their mail for any notices from CHS.”
On Aug. 19, Community Health Systems Professional Services Corporation,
commonly known by its trade names CHS and Community Health Systems, publically
reported a data breach affecting at least 4.5 million patients nationwide. In
July 2014, CHS confirmed its computer network was the target of an external
criminal cyber-attack in April and June 2014, by which hackers gained access to
patient names, addresses, birthdates, telephone numbers, and social security
numbers. CHS has confirmed that the stolen data did not include patient credit
card, medical, or clinical information and indicated the data breach occurred in
physician practices affiliated with the company, not in its hospitals.
CHS recently sent letters to individuals whose information was taken in this
cyber-attack informing them about the data breach and how to enroll in free
identity theft protection and credit monitoring services. Affected consumers can
expect to receive a notification letter from CHS in the near future. If a
consumer actually becomes a victim of identity theft because of the breach,
restoration services will be provided free of charge.
Consumers with questions or concerns about this cyber-attack are encouraged
to contact 1-855-205-6951 toll-free. For information on preventing identity
theft or to report suspicious activity, contact the Federal Trade Commission at
1-877-438-4338 or get free information at
www.ftc.gov.
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