University Gastroenterology and its 19 offices were victims of a data hacking scam, where an individual gained access to the network, copied information for 14,000 patients and then encrypted it, NBC reports.
Here's what you need to know.
1. Patient names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and medical billing information were all taken by a hacker. The data was then encrypted and returned. The hacker is asking for a cash sum to unencrypted the data.
2. UGI notified the affected patients through a letter.
3. There is no evidence the data has been misused.
4. The person had gained access to patient files from a practice UGI acquired in 2014.
5. UGI has made security enhancements to ensure their systems are safe.
6. The center has also established a call center to answer patients questions and concerns about the hack at 844-575-7459. The center is also offering credit monitoring protection through Equifax to the impacted patients.
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