The Williamsport Home

The Williamsport Home in Pennsylvania experienced a data breach in April 2023, which was publicly confirmed on June 23, 2023. On April 24, 2023, the facility discovered suspicious activity affecting some of its internal systems used for business operations. In response, Williamsport Home immediately took measures to contain the situation and safeguard the security of its systems. The facility engaged leading industry professionals in data privacy and security to lead the investigation, response, and reporting to relevant government agencies, including law enforcement.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, but there is evidence that unauthorized actors accessed some internal systems during the period leading up to April 24, 2023. Importantly, there is no evidence that any software systems used directly for resident care were impacted, and the care and services provided to residents were not affected.

The types of information that may have been affected include names, addresses, birth dates, admission and discharge dates, death dates, medical record numbers, provider or facility names, medical conditions, diagnoses and/or treatment information, lab results, medications, payment amount history, insurance payment amounts, dates of service, Social Security numbers, financial account information, credit card numbers, medical information, health insurance information, driver’s license or state identification numbers, passport numbers, and any information created, used, or disclosed in the course of providing health care services.

Williamsport Home is providing notice to individuals who may potentially be affected by the breach and encourages them to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud. They are advised to review account statements and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity and to monitor their credit reports. Under U.S. law, individuals are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus[1].

For further assistance, affected individuals can contact Williamsport Home at the provided phone number or by mail at their address in Williamsport, PA[1].

Citations:

1. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/williamsport-home-provides-notice-of-security-incident-301861283.html
2. https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/pa-home-catches-fire-following-shooting-incident-at-least-6-feared-dead/article_d58fbe4e-c69f-11ee-9dd9-2389d42f4a34.html
3. https://www.hipaajournal.com/cyberattack-and-data-breach-affects-multiple-residential-care-facilities-in-pennsylvania/
4. https://www.northcentralpa.com/business/home-instead-offers-in-home-personal-care-services-in-central-pa/article_2e51f9c2-c9c3-11ee-8161-57ec86fa32d0.html
5. https://www.thewilliamsporthome.com/privacy-practices
6. https://www.wnep.com/closings
7. https://www.databreaches.net/four-senior-residences-in-pennsylvania-disclose-a-data-security-breach-in-april/
8. https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/ppl-customers-can-share-feedback-on-17m-settlement-until-feb-28/article_ee13e04e-c5d2-11ee-8dc9-d76caaac0d24.html
9. https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/home/news/suspicious-activity-puts-data-at-risk-for-hundreds-of-residents-at-4-senior-living-communities/
10. https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov
11. https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/home/news/provider-victim-of-data-security-breach-at-3-locations/
12. https://www.staradvertiser.com
13. https://www.ifaxapp.com/hipaa/cyberattack-pennsylvania-residential-care-facilities/
14. https://www.merakey.org
15. https://healthitsecurity.com/news/latest-healthcare-data-breaches-impact-small-mid-sized-providers
16. https://www.brown.edu