SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Data Breach: What You Need to Know & Your Legal Options
The law firm of CaseyGerry is investigating a data breach that exposed non-public information of health plan members. The SAG-AFTRA Health Plan, a benefits provider for media professionals, was compromised in September 2024.
Internal investigations revealed that an unauthorized party gained access to member records through an employee account. The incident occurred between September 17 and September 18, and was discovered on September 18, 2024. Investigations confirmed that the breach resulted from a phishing scam.
Phishing Scams and the Rise in Data Breaches
Phishing scams are one of the most common methods of cybercrime. In 2023 alone, there were almost nine million phishing cyber attacks worldwide. According to the American Cyber Defense Agency, more than 90% of data breaches begin with a phishing email. This trend has remained consistent, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
This surge in phishing scams has emphasized the importance of employee training as employees are often the first line of defense. Proper training is essential for recognizing and reporting cyber threats, especially for companies handling sensitive information like health data.
Data Exposed in the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Breach
In early October 2024, the company confirmed that highly sensitive information of SAG-AFTRA Health Plan members was exposed in the breach, including:
- Names
- Social Security Numbers (SSNs)
- Health Plan Identification Numbers (HPINs)
- Claims Information
The company began notifying affected individuals on December 2, 2024.
Legal Recourse for Affected SAG-AFTRA Members
CaseyGerry has a strong history of representing individuals whose personal information was exposed in data breaches. Medical and health companies maintain highly sensitive personal and health-related information, which can be exploited for identity theft and other cybercrimes.
If you are or have been a SAG-AFTRA member and have received notification that your information may have been compromised, contact our experienced attorneys at (619)815-7535 to explore your legal rights. Visit https://caseygerry.com/our-firm/ to learn more about how we can help.