On May 1, 2023, reports began to surface about a United HealthCare Services, Inc. (“United”) data breach after the company announced that suspicious activity on its computer network “may have led to the disclosure of member information.” Because the incident is still under investigation, United has not yet released what data types were leaked. However, given the wealth of information the company possesses about its customers, the United HealthCare breach could be significant. Once United confirms that consumer data was leaked, the company will begin sending out data breach notification letters to all individuals who were impacted by the recent data security incident.
If you received a data breach notification from United HealthCare, it is essential you understand what is at risk and what you can do about it. To learn more about how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft and what your legal options are in the wake of the United HealthCare data breach, please see our recent piece on the topic here.
What We Know So Far About the United HealthCare Breach
News of the United HealthCare data breach is still fresh; however, what we know at this point comes from news reports outlining the company’s response to its customers. According to these sources, between February 19 and February 25, United HealthCare experienced a cyberattack. While the company has not yet disclosed how or when it learned about the incident, in response, United began an investigation into the incident to determine what, if any, consumer data was leaked.
The United HealthCare investigation is still underway. However, on April 10, 2023, the company announced that some member information may have been accessible to the unauthorized parties carrying out the attack. Preliminary reports suggest that the data may include customers’ first and last names, health insurance member identification numbers, dates of birth, addresses, dates of service, provider names, claim information and group names and numbers.
If and when United HealthCare determines who the leaked information belonged to, it will begin sending out data breach letters to all individuals whose information was compromised as a result of the recent data security incident. United is also providing all victims of the breach with two years of free credit monitoring.
More Information About United HealthCare Services, Inc.
Founded in 1974, United HealthCare Services, Inc. is an insurance company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The company’s primary focus is providing health insurance to individuals and companies. The United network of providers is one of the largest in the United States, with 1,300 covered providers and 6,500 covered hospitals and other care facilities. United HealthCare employs more than 125,000 people and generates approximately $257 billion in annual revenue.
