More than one million people received notifications this summer after someone inappropriately accessed Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) computers.
The computers contained health and insurance records and other confidential information. No information on the computers was destroyed during the intrusion.
DPHHS Director Richard Opper said that while there was no confirmation that any individual’s information was directly accessed, the department was notifying people “out of an abundance of caution.”
Letters were sent out letting people know that they would be able to sign up for a free 12-month membership in a credit and identification protection service – ProtectMyID. However, the DPHHS cannot directly enroll people in this service.
People who received the letter MUST ENROLL BY OCT. 7 in order to obtain the free protection service; instructions are in the letter.
DPHHS also recommended that people review benefits statements they receive from their insurers to make sure all listed benefits are accurate.
The intrusion was among several recent high-profile hacks that impacted people, ranging from state benefit recipients to bank account holders and store shoppers.
Anyone who has questions is encouraged to call the DPHHS toll-free Help Line, which is available Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. at: 1-800-809-2956.
Additional information is also available at www.dphhs.mt.gov.
