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Published on January 19, 2025
Data Breach at Texas Health Agency Puts 61,000 at Risk of Identity Theft, State Offers Free Credit MonitoringSource: Unsplash/rupixen

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is in hot water after a data breach, confirmed on November 21, 2024, may have left 61,000 Texans vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. According to a press release from Lone Star Live, the compromised information, improperly accessed by agency employees, included full names, home addresses, telephone numbers, and highly sensitive financial and medical records.

The state agency, having found the unauthorized activity stretching back to June 2021, acted by firing the staffers in question and passing the case to the Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG). "HHSC took immediate steps to mitigate the breach by terminating the employees involved and referring the incident to the Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) for investigation and coordination with prosecutor offices to pursue criminal charges," the agency stated, as reported by Lone Star Live.

"HHSC said it is offering two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to affected individuals and that it will notify those affected by first-class mail by Jan. 20," as stated by KVUE. Meanwhile, those with questions regarding the breach can refer to the FAQs document on HHSC's website, or call their toll-free hotline using the "engagement number B138648."