Data Breach Alert: Data thieves threaten to release Express Scripts customer information

Posted by Caitlin on November 12th, 2008

Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit management firm that handles around 500 million prescriptions a year for about 50 million Americans, received a letter early last month containing the names, birth dates, Social Security numbers and prescription data for 75 of the company's customers. The letter also included a threat to release millions of customer records unless Express Scripts pays the data thieves an undisclosed sum. George Paz, chief executive of Express Scripts, said in a statement that the company is working with the FBI and has no intention of paying the extortionists. Express Scripts is still trying to determine how the data was accessed and how much was stolen. The 75 customers referenced in the letter have been notified, and last week Express Scripts created a website to explain the situation and advise customers on how to go about protecting themselves from identity theft.

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