Data Breach Affects 462,000 Montana Residents
A data breach at Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Montana has affected approximately 462,000 customers, which is about one-third of the state's residents. The breach, which was caused by a third-party vendor called Conduent, may have included sensitive information such as birth dates, Social Security numbers, and health conditions. The company allegedly knew about the breach for months but failed to notify customers, and a class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of two Montana residents. The lawsuit accuses Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Montana of negligence, breach of contract, and violating the Montana Consumer Protection Act, among other counts. The plaintiffs are seeking various remedies, including encryption and destruction of personally identifying information, periodic security checks, and comprehensive education and alert programs. They are also seeking actual damages, compensatory damages, and punitive damages. The data breach has resulted in harmful consequences, including invasion of privacy, lost time and costs, spam and fraud calls, and identity theft. Montana residents who are affected by the breach can take steps to protect themselves, such as monitoring their credit reports and being cautious of suspicious emails or phone calls.
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