Posts Tagged ‘data theft’

Express Scripts hackers update: 1,700 added to victims list

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Apparently, hackers stole even more of Express Scripts’ member information than was initially revealed last fall. An additional 1,771 New Hampshire residents are being sent data breach notification letters this week, according to a September 14 letter from Express Scripts.

Express Scripts, one of the world’s largest pharmacy benefits management companies, revealed in November 2008 that hackers demanded ransom in exchange for stolen customer information. Unless the ransom was paid, the hackers threatened to reveal the members’ information.

To strengthen their threat, the hackers sent personal information–including names, birth dates, Social Security numbers and some prescription details–of 75 of the firm’s 50 million customers.

Express Scripts publicly refused to pay the ransom, even after some of their customers received similar letters, extortion attempts and sample employee information. Toyota, government agencies and labor unions were among those contacted by the hackers. (more…)

Obama data breach brings hope

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

The most recent Barack Obama buzz among techies is all about the painful separation of a president from his Blackberry (or “Crackberry” as it’s fondly called by it’s most addicted devotees). There’s that niggling little issue of presidential records being subpoena-able, but also the threat of his PDA being hacked. Apparently not even the Secret Service can make him bulletproof, because just this week his Twitter account was hacked.

Those of us looking for a solution to the data breach/identity theft debacle are looking hopefully at President-elect Barack Obama’s recent privacy intrusions in the hope that it might inspire a little legislative action. (more…)

Extortionists threaten to disclose Express Scripts’ customers’ information if ransom isn’t paid

Friday, November 7th, 2008

Express Scripts has gone public today with information that they were contacted early in October by extortionists who threatened to disclose personal and medical information on millions of the company’s customers if Express Scripts doesn’t meet their ransom demands.

The ransom request was sent by mail and accompanied by the names, birth dates, Social Security numbers and, in some cases, prescription details, of 75 of the firm’s 50 million customers.

George Paz, Express Scripts’ chief executive, said the company will not pay the ransom, but declined to say how much money the extortionists demanded. (more…)