Data Breach Summary
McLaren Health Care, in partnership with Karmanos Cancer Institute, was the target of a sophisticated ransomware attack by an international cybercriminal group. In total, 743,131 individuals were affected by the breach, including 25 residents of Maine.
This breach is considered one of the largest healthcare-related cybersecurity incidents of the year, with far-reaching consequences for patients and their families. While McLaren reports no confirmed misuse of the breached information, all affected individuals are strongly advised to remain vigilant.
The breach occurred between July 17 and August 3, 2024, and was detected on August 5, 2024, when McLaren noticed suspicious activity within its systems.
The organization immediately activated its emergency response protocols and engaged third-party forensic specialists to investigate. Updates were posted on McLaren.org and Karmanos.org, and a dedicated call center was launched to help patients and community members.
A detailed forensic review concluded on May 5, 2025, confirming that files containing sensitive personal data were accessed without authorization.
To help safeguard your information, McLaren Health Care is offering free identity protection services through IDX for 24 months. These services include:
Credit monitoring
Identity theft recovery
Fraud consultation
The personal and sensitive information compromised in this breach includes elements that could lead to serious privacy issues for the affected individuals. Those impacted are at an increased risk of identity theft, where their information could be used without their knowledge to commit fraud or other illegal activities.
The data breach may have exposed a variety of personal and medical information, including:
Names
Addresses
Social Security numbers
Dates of birth
Account balances
Medical-related information
If you received a notification letter from McLaren, your information may have been included in the breach.
If your personal information has been breached, it’s important to take immediate and proactive steps to minimize the potential impact and protect yourself from identity theft or fraud. Here are some general actions that you should consider taking:
Monitor Credit Reports: Check your credit reports regularly for suspicious activity.
Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze: Set up a fraud alert or freeze your credit to prevent unauthorized access.
Monitor Financial Accounts: Review bank and credit card statements for unfamiliar transactions.
Watch for Phishing Scams: Be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal information.
Change Passwords: Update passwords for online accounts and use strong, unique ones.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security to online accounts.
Review Health and Insurance Info: Check for fraudulent charges if health data was exposed.
If you were impacted by the McLaren Health Care data breach, you may have the right to seek compensation for the potential harm caused. Class Action U is dedicated to helping data breach victims connect with skilled attorneys who specialize in this area of law and can guide you through the legal process.
Individuals whose personal information was exposed may have valid grounds to join a class action lawsuit, allowing them to pursue restitution.
If your data was compromised, you could be entitled to compensation for:
Loss of privacy
Time spent resolving the breach
Out-of-pocket expenses
Emotional distress
By pursuing a class action lawsuit, you not only have the opportunity to recover damages but also help hold McLaren Health Care accountable, potentially prompting them to strengthen their security measures. Reach out to Class Action U today to find out if you qualify for a data breach class action and learn more about the compensation you may be entitled to.
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