Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Suffers Phishing Attack, Compromising Personal Data of Over 200,000 Individuals

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has suffered a phishing attack that compromised the credentials of 53 employees and led to the theft of personal data belonging to 200,000 individuals. The attackers used these stolen credentials to access and steal sensitive information such as names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, health insurance details, diagnoses, prescriptions, patient IDs and more. In response to this breach, the DPH has deactivated all affected email accounts and blocked the websites involved in the attack.

While it is not yet clear whether the stolen information has been accessed or misused, individuals are encouraged to review their medical records with their healthcare providers. This breach is just one of several recent phishing attacks targeting Los Angeles County, with previous attacks impacting thousands of individuals in the Department of Health Services and Department of Mental Health.

To prevent future attacks and protect sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands, organizations must enhance their cybersecurity measures. Los Angeles County is working hard to strengthen its defenses and improve its response to cyber threats in order to safeguard the personal information of its residents. It is crucial for all organizations to take proactive steps to secure their systems and protect their users’ data.