VisionPoint Eye Center Exposes Medical Information

VisionPoint Eye Center, PLLC, a medical practice specializing in eye care, recently experienced a significant data breach that affected the personal information of 66,926 individuals across the United States. The breach was disclosed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on December 15, 2024, and to the Texas Attorney General's office on December 19, 2024.

The exposed information includes sensitive data such as:

• Name of individual
• Address
• Medical information
• Health insurance information

The breach specifically impacted 434 individuals in Texas, as reported to the Texas Attorney General's office. VisionPoint Eye Center notified affected individuals via U.S. Mail, as required by law. While the exact method of how the breach occurred has not been disclosed, the exposure of medical and health insurance information highlights the severity of the incident, as this type of data is highly sensitive and can be exploited for identity theft or insurance fraud.

For more details, you can view the disclosure on the Texas Attorney General's website or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' breach portal.

VisionPoint Eye Center's response

VisionPoint Eye Center has taken steps to notify affected individuals about the breach through U.S. Mail. While specific details about the company's ongoing response efforts have not been disclosed, notifying consumers is a critical first step in addressing the situation. It is expected that VisionPoint Eye Center is working to secure its systems and prevent future breaches, as required under federal and state laws.

Steps to take if you are affected by the data breach

If you received a notification from VisionPoint Eye Center, it is important to take immediate action to protect your personal and financial information. Here are some steps you should consider:

1. Monitor your accounts: Regularly check your bank accounts, credit card statements, and health insurance claims for any unauthorized transactions or suspicious activity.
2. Request a copy of your credit report: You are entitled to a free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Review your report for any unfamiliar accounts or inquiries.
3. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze: A fraud alert notifies creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts. A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
4. Contact your health insurance provider: Notify your health insurance company about the breach and ask them to flag your account for any unusual activity. Request a summary of recent claims to ensure they are accurate.
5. Be cautious of phishing attempts: Scammers may use information from the breach to target you with fraudulent emails or phone calls. Do not share additional personal information unless you are certain of the recipient's legitimacy.
6. Consider identity theft protection services: If you are concerned about the potential misuse of your data, you may want to explore identity theft protection services that offer credit monitoring and recovery assistance.

Taking these steps can help mitigate the risks associated with the breach and ensure your personal information remains secure.