Charleston Area Medical Center Data Breach Exposes PHI & PII

On October 2, 2024, Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) discovered that they were the victim of a phishing attack, leading to a significant data breach affecting a total of 67,413 individuals in the United States, including 9 people in Massachusetts.

The unauthorized access occurred over a short period, between October 2 and October 3, 2024, when an intruder gained access to a single CAMC user's email mailbox.

The breach exposed sensitive information, which varied among each person affected.

Information exposed:

• First and last name
• Date of birth
• Email address
• Phone number
• Social Security number
• Driver’s license
• Health information
• Health insurance information

For more details, you can view the Massachusetts Attorney General's disclosure and the Vermont Attorney General's disclosure. Additionally, the breach is reported on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' website.

Charleston Area Medical Center's Response

In response to the breach, CAMC engaged a forensic security provider to investigate the incident. They terminated any unauthorized access to their email system and have taken additional technical security measures to prevent future occurrences.

CAMC advises affected individuals to remain vigilant by checking medical account statements regularly to detect any unusual activity.

For those seeking more information or assistance, CAMC has set up a toll-free line at 1-877-732-0029, available from 9 AM to 9 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

About Charleston Area Medical Center

Charleston Area Medical Center is a nonprofit healthcare system based in Charleston, West Virginia. Formed in 1972, CAMC operates multiple hospitals and facilities, including CAMC General Hospital, CAMC Memorial Hospital, and CAMC Women and Children's Hospital, among others.

With nearly 8,000 employees, CAMC is a regional referral center providing a wide range of medical services, including a Level 1 Trauma Center and a high-volume heart program.

For more information about CAMC and its services, visit their official website.