INDIANAPOLIS (WTAQ) - The nation's second-largest health insurer is contacting customers affected by what it calls a "very sophisticated" cyber attack.
Anthem said all of its product lines were affected. Among them are Blue Cross-Blue Shield plans in Wisconsin and 13 other states.
The Indianapolis-based Anthem said the breach was discovered last week. Hackers gained access to personal data from "tens of millions" of customers and employees, including CEO Joe Swedish.
They obtained names, street addresses, Social Security numbers, birth dates, e-mail addresses, employment details, and incomes of past and present policyholders. The firm said credit card data was not compromised, and there's no indication that medical records were targeted.
The company says it's working with federal investigators to determine who instigated the attack. Anthem has hired the Internet security firm of Mandiant to improve its cyber defenses.
Anthem says it will provide free credit monitoring and identity protection services to those affected. The FBI urges Anthem customers who are contacted to report identity theft if they suspect it.
Media reports said Anthem had previous security weaknesses and breaches in 2013, 2008, and 2006.
Swedish was not running the company back then. He apologized to customers on a special Web site to explain the latest breach -- AnthemFacts.Com.
According to Anthem's Web site, it offers Blue Cross-Blue Shield plans at 5 Wisconsin offices -- Pewaukee, Madison, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, and Eau Claire.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)