Partners HealthCare Notifies 3,300 Patients Of Email Breach
BOSTON (AP) — Boston-based Partners HealthCare is notifying about 3,300 patients about a security breach.
Partners said in November that it learned a group of its workers received so-called "phishing" emails and provided information in response. Phishing emails trick their targets into handing over passwords or clicking on links that install malicious programs.
Partners said some emails contained patient information like names, addresses, dates of birth, telephone numbers and, in some instances, Social Security numbers and clinical information including diagnosis, treatment received and insurance information.
Partners said Thursday that it contacted law enforcement and has taken steps to secure email accounts.
Partners says it has no evidence any patient information has been misused.
The breach involved patients at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital and several other hospitals affiliated with Partners.
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