More than 82,000 NorthStar Medical Patients Get Exposed By Recent Data Breach

  • By Steven
  • Published: Mar 22, 2023
  • Last Updated: Mar 23, 2023

NorthStar Medical Data Breach

NorthStar Emergency Medical Services is an ambulance service based in Searcy, Arkansas. The company manages three EMS stations in the surrounding area and helps patients get the emergency help they need rapidly. This service provider takes medical information from patients it serves, and it may have just exposed tens of thousands of its past patients to internet hackers in a recent data breach incident. The issue could be serious for patients, and it's something they should take immediate action on to protect themselves. 

How Did the Attack Occur?

The NorthStar Emergency Medical Services attack occurred when one or more people broke into the file network and began accessing files without authorization. We don't know if the break-in was due to a phishing attack, a security vulnerability in the software or something else. Either way, the attackers were able to get through the system security and access confidential files in the hospital network. Some of the files contained confidential information about patients. Many were exposed to the attack that was first detected on September 16, 2022, and it took an extended period to fully investigate the effects of this attack. It wasn't until much later that the attack was reported, and notices went out to patients informing them that their information may have been exposed. 

What Information Was Viewed or Stolen?

This NorthStar Emergency Medical Services data breach caused confidential information about approximately 82,450 patients to be exposed. The information exposed includes some or all of the following details, health insurance info, Medicare or Medicaid numbers, Social Security numbers, patient ID numbers, birth dates, treatment information, and full names. This sensitive information could be used in harmful ways, and it puts patients in a bad position. 

How Did NorthStar Emergency Services Admit to the Breach?

On March 14, 2023, the organization sent a notice to the Attorney General of Maine explaining the details of the data breach. This was just after becoming aware that the NorthStar data breach resulted in the loss of confidential patient data. The company also sent out personalized letters to the victims that were pointed out by the investigation. They were given information about the attack and what data may have been released by the hacker while inside the file server. 

What Will Become of the Stolen Information?

The stolen information will almost certainly be used for identity theft purposes or be sold to someone else that will attempt to misuse the information. If your information was lost in this breach, you should immediately take action to protect yourself. Taking immediate action is the best way to avoid problems. 

What Should Affected Parties Do in the Aftermath of the Breach?

If you receive a notice from NorthStar informing you about this attack, you should take steps to protect yourself. Begin by checking your credit history for any strange activity. Also, consider putting a freeze on your credit or investing in an identity protection service that notifies you of any strange activities on your credit report. Taking these simple steps will help you stay ahead of the attackers and give you the information you need to protect yourself. 

About the Author
IDStrong Logo

Related Articles

Instagram Vulnerability Allowed Hackers Access to Control Your Phone

Security experts Check Point Research discovered a critical vulnerability while examining Instagra ... Read More

Alien Malware Infects More than 226 Mobile Apps and Steals Bank Data

As reported on September 24, 2020, by ZDNet and ThreatPost, a new strain of malware named “A ... Read More

Universal Health Systems Hit by Ransomware Attack

Universal Health Systems (UHS), a Fortune 500 company owning more than 400 hospitals across the co ... Read More

Exchange Server Bug Exposes a Big Risk to Hackers

Months after Microsoft released a patch to fix a serious flaw in MS Exchange Server, more than 61% ... Read More

Clients’ Bank Data Exposed in Blackbaud Ransomware Attack

Blackbaud software was victim to a ransomware attack last May, and new information suggests that c ... Read More

Latest Articles

What You Need to Know about the Data Breach MC2 Data

What You Need to Know about the Data Breach MC2 Data

Founded in 2018, MC2 Data is based in Florida and specializes in background check services. MC2 aggregates data from several records to provide background check services to landlords, employers, and other organizations.

What You Need to Know about the Delta Dental Data Breach

What You Need to Know about the Delta Dental Data Breach

Delta Dental is a dental insurance provider serving over 90 million Americans. It offers coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. The company was established in 1966 in California as part of the Delta Dental Plans Association.

What You Need to Know about the Hot Topic Data Breach

What You Need to Know about the Hot Topic Data Breach

Hot Topic plays in the fashion, apparel, and shoe industry as a retailer of music-influenced apparel and accessories, such as jeans, tops, belts, dresses, pajamas, sunglasses, jewelry, and tees.

Featured Articles

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

Buying your own home is the American Dream, but it might seem out of reach to those with bad credit. However, the good news is, if your credit is less than perfect, you do still have options and in most cases, can still buy a home.

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

Any good IT article on computers and network security will address the importance of strong, secure passwords. However, the challenge of good passwords is that most people have a hard time remembering them, so they use simple or obvious ones that pose a security risk.

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Senior scams are becoming a major epidemic for two reasons. First, seniors often have a lot of money in the bank from a life of working hard and saving.

Notice

By proceeding with this scan, you agree to let IDStrong run a Free Scan of supplied parameters of your personal information and provide free preliminary findings in compliance with our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice. You consent to us using your provided information to complete the Free Scan and compare it against our records and breach databases or sources to provide your Free preliminary findings report.

Rest assured: IDStrong will not share your information with third parties or store your information beyond what is required to perform your scan and share your results.

Free Identity Threat Scan
Instantly Check if Your Personal Information is Exposed
All fields below are required
Please enter first name
Please enter last name
Please enter a city
Please select a state
Please enter an age
Please enter an email address
Close