Affiliated Dermatologists Data Breach Exposes Social Security Numbers

March Ransom Note

On March 5, 2024, Affiliated Dermatologists & Dermatologic Surgeons P.A. detected a cybersecurity attack when an unauthorized third party accessed their network and left a ransom note. The breach was identified quickly, and the company took immediate action by disconnecting from the network. A detailed investigation revealed that from March 2 to March 5, 2024, the intruder had access to certain systems and successfully extracted data.

Information Exposed

The data compromised in this breach included:

• Name of individual
• Address
• Social Security Number
• Driver’s License number
• Medical Information
• Health Insurance Information
• Date of Birth

Affiliated Dermatologists' Response

Following the discovery of the breach, Affiliated Dermatologists acted swiftly to secure their systems and mitigate any potential damage. They engaged legal counsel and cybersecurity experts to conduct a thorough forensic investigation to understand the scope and impact of the breach. The company has since enhanced their security measures, including implementing 24/7 network monitoring, multi-factor authentication for remote access, and mandatory password resets for all accounts.

As part of their commitment to their patients and employees' security, Affiliated Dermatologists is offering free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services through Cyberscout, a TransUnion company. These services are designed to alert individuals to changes in their credit file and provide assistance in the event of identity theft.

Steps to Take if You Are Affected

If you believe your information may have been compromised in this breach, it is crucial to stay vigilant and proactive in monitoring your financial accounts and personal information for any unusual activity. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Enroll in the free credit monitoring service offered by Affiliated Dermatologists. You can sign up at Cyberscout's Activation Page.
2. Regularly review your account statements and credit reports for discrepancies.
3. Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports, which will require creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You can do this by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus.
4. If you detect any suspicious activity, immediately report it to the relevant financial institution and consider freezing your credit.

For further assistance or to ask questions regarding the incident, you can contact Affiliated Dermatologists directly at 1-833-549-9899, available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time.

For more information on the breach, you can view the official disclosures on the Texas Attorney General's website and the Massachusetts Attorney General's website.