Ariel Clinical Services Data Breach Exposes Social Security Numbers & Medical Information

Ariel Clinical Services, a Colorado-based nonprofit specializing in foster care, adoption, and adult disability services, recently experienced a data breach.

According to a disclosure filed with the Montana Attorney General, the breach occurred when an unauthorized actor gained access to an employee’s email account on July 25, 2025, and again on July 29, 2025. The organization detected unusual activity on July 28, 2025, and was able to secure the affected account the next day.

Cybersecurity specialists were engaged to investigate the incident. The investigation revealed that emails containing personal information were accessible during the unauthorized access window, though it could not be determined if specific emails were viewed or opened.

The types of information exposed in this breach included both personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI): name, Social Security number, financial card number with access code, medical information and health insurance information. This combination of data is particularly sensitive, as it could be used for identity theft or financial fraud.

Ariel Clinical Services's response

Upon discovering the breach, Ariel Clinical Services took immediate action to secure the compromised email account and launched a comprehensive investigation with the help of cybersecurity experts. The organization reviewed the contents of the affected email account to identify individuals whose information may have been exposed and reconciled this information with internal records to ensure accurate notifications.

To help protect those affected, Ariel Clinical Services is offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services for 12 months through Cyberscout, a TransUnion company. This service includes proactive fraud assistance, credit file monitoring and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. Affected individuals are encouraged to enroll in these services within 90 days of receiving their notification letter.

Ariel Clinical Services has also implemented additional security measures to strengthen its network environment and reduce the likelihood of future incidents.