Gardner Health Services Data Breach Affects 26,000 Patients

On April 1, 2025, Gardner Health Services, a non-profit serving Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in California, reported a data breach to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. According to the official disclosure, the breach affected approximately 26,000 individuals in the United States.

The incident was the result of a ransomware attack carried out by the CL0P ransomware group, who claimed responsibility and stated they had obtained the organization’s database. The attack was posted on the dark web via a tor network, and the group is known for targeting organizations with the intent of stealing and potentially leaking sensitive data.

While the specific data types have not been fully detailed in public reports, such breaches typically include names, addresses, dates of birth, medical records, and potentially financial or insurance information. The severity of this breach is heightened by the fact that CL0P is a well-known ransomware group that often publishes stolen data if ransom demands are not met, putting affected individuals at an increased risk of identity theft and fraud.

For more details about the official disclosure, you can review the breach report on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.

If you believe you may be affected by this breach, it is important to remain vigilant. Monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for any unusual activity. Be cautious of unsolicited communications that ask for your personal information or direct you to websites asking for credentials. Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with major credit bureaus. If Gardner Health Services offers credit monitoring or identity protection services as part of their response, take advantage of these resources.

Since the breach involved both PII and PHI, affected individuals should also be aware of potential phishing attempts or scams that use stolen health information. It is recommended to contact Gardner Health Services directly for more information and to review any official notifications you receive from the organization.