Heart Monitor Company iRhythm Reports Patient Data Stolen by Hackers

iRhythm, a company that makes digital heart monitoring devices, discovered on June 8 that hackers broke into their systems and stole patient data. The attackers demanded payment in exchange for not releasing the stolen information. iRhythm is a digital health company that provides heart monitoring services to patients across the country. If you or someone in your family uses iRhythm heart monitoring devices or services, your personal information may have been exposed. This could include your name, contact information, medical records, and health insurance details. The company has not yet revealed exactly how many patients are affected or what specific types of data were stolen.

Here is what you should do right now:

1. Watch for any letters or emails from iRhythm about this breach. They are required to notify affected patients directly.
2. Monitor your medical insurance statements carefully for the next several months. Look for any services or charges you do not recognize.
3. Check your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Identity thieves sometimes use stolen medical information to open accounts.
4. Be extra cautious about any emails or phone calls claiming to be from iRhythm or your health insurance company. Scammers often follow data breaches with phishing attempts.
5. If you receive official notification that your data was stolen, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file. Protecting your medical information requires ongoing vigilance. Always review your insurance statements when they arrive. Keep your login credentials for medical portals unique and strong. Enable two factor authentication on any health accounts that offer it. Medical identity theft can take months or years to discover, so staying alert to unusual activity is your best defense.