We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Data Breach at GMA Exposes Medicare Details of 341,650

Data Breach at GMA Exposes Medicare Details of 341,650
Hendrik Human Published on 13th April 2024 Cybersecurity Researcher

Greylock McKinnon Associates, Inc. (GMA), a Boston consulting firm, experienced a data breach that exposed the Medicare information of 341,650 individuals. Originally detected on May 30, 2023, the breach resulted from a sophisticated cyberattack targeting sensitive data. Notifications regarding this breach were only sent out as of April 8, 2024.

The compromised information includes not just Medicare Health Insurance Claim Numbers but also social security numbers, names, addresses, and birthdates. This data was originally entrusted to GMA by the Department of Justice (DoJ) for a civil litigation matter. The DoJ has advised victims that they were not the subject of any investigation or associated litigation matters, and that this incident does not affect current Medicare benefits or coverage.

Affected individuals have been provided with 24 months of complimentary access to Single Bureau Credit Monitoring, Single Bureau Credit Report, and Single Bureau Credit Score services.

While the cyberattack was first detected on May 30, 2023, it took until 7 February 2024 for a forensic investigation to confirm what data was stolen in the breach. Despite the sensitive nature of the data, neither the GMA nor the DoJ fall under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). However, GMA is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which has recently taken action against companies involved in data breaches.

The FTC Health Breach Notification Rule mandates that breach notifications be sent within 60 days of discovery. GMA, however, issued notifications nine months later, potentially triggering an FTC investigation. The firm is also facing a class action lawsuit for violating these regulations.

In its notification, GMA states that it’s “not aware of any reports of identity fraud or improper use of the information as a result of the incident.” Customers can contact the firm via a dedicated call center regarding any concerns or to provide additional information regarding the incident for up to 90 days from the date of the notification letter.

There have been a number of high-profile data breaches involving healthcare information over the last year. An incident involving Viamedis and Almerys led to the exposure of the sensitive information of nearly half of France’s population. Cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler also discovered a non-password-protected database with COVID-19 testing information and personally identifiable information.

About the Author

Hendrik is a writer at vpnMentor, specializing in VPN comparisons and user guides. With 5+ years of experience as a tech and cybersecurity writer, plus a background in corporate IT, he brings a variety of perspectives to test VPN services and analyze how they address the needs of different users.

Please, comment on how to improve this article. Your feedback matters!

Leave a comment

Sorry, links are not allowed in this field!

Name should contain at least 3 letters

The field content should not exceed 80 letters

Sorry, links are not allowed in this field!

Please enter a valid email address