What You Need to Know
CareTree, Inc. suffered a data breach exposing sensitive information including SSNs, medical details, and financial data of patients and caretakers.
- Company Name: CareTree, Inc.
- Date Filed: December 11, 2023
- Number of People Affected: Unknown
- Data Breached: Names, addresses, driver s license numbers, Social Security numbers, financial account information, dates of birth, medical information, health insurance information
Who’s Affected & What Data Was Breached
Affected Customers
The specific number of affected customers was not disclosed in the provided content. CareTree began sending out data breach notification letters to individuals whose information was compromised by the incident.
Compromised Data
The unauthorized party gained access to sensitive information that may include names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, financial account information, dates of birth, medical information, and health insurance information. The scope of leaked information can vary for each individual affected.
Summary of the CareTree Data Breach
Discovery and Initial Actions
CareTree, Inc. noticed unusual activity on its platform on August 16, 2023, which prompted the company to secure the platform, alert law enforcement, and initiate a thorough investigation with external data security experts. This response aimed to understand and mitigate the effects of the incident.
Extent and Nature of the Breach
CareTree’s investigative efforts revealed on October 13, 2023, that an unauthorized actor had gained access to its system on July 21, 2023. This breach led to the exposure of various types of sensitive patient and caretaker information.
Details of Compromised Information
The specific data compromised in the breach included names, addresses, driver s license numbers, Social Security numbers, financial account details, dates of birth, medical information, and health insurance information. However, the details of the information accessed differed from one individual to another.
Company’s Response to Affected Individuals
Upon determining the scope of the breach, CareTree sent notification letters on December 11, 2023, to all individuals whose data was impacted. These letters aimed to inform the victims about the nature of the compromised information specific to them.
Reporting the Breach
CareTree filed a notice of the data breach with the California Attorney General, as required by law, to officially report the breach and outline the incident’s specifics following their internal investigation and review.
Overall Timeline of the Breach and Response
To summarize, the breach was initially detected by CareTree on August 16, 2023, which was later traced back to unauthorized access occurring on July 21, 2023. The company completed its review of impacted files on October 13, 2023, and proceeded to notify affected individuals and the Attorney General of California by December 11, 2023.
Next Steps for Those Affected
The breach notifications provided guidance for the recipients on how to protect themselves from potential fraud or identity theft and included the offer of legal consultation to discuss their options following the CareTree data breach incident.
More Information About CareTree, Inc.
Overview of CareTree, Inc.
CareTree, Inc., is a software company that specializes in developing solutions tailored for the healthcare industry. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the organization focuses on creating software that assists in care management and patient advocacy.
Services Provided
CareTree provides a platform that aims to enhance the operations of caregivers. Their software facilitates better communication among caregivers and with families of individuals living in nursing homes, aiming to streamline various caregiving processes and improve overall coordination.
Customer Base
The primary customers of CareTree include care providers such as nursing homes and individual caretakers. These customers utilize CareTree s offerings to manage patient care more effectively and to collaborate with other stakeholders in the care-providing process.
Use Cases
Care providers use the CareTree platform to store and manage sensitive patient information. It also serves as a tool for patient advocates, helping manage medical information and track health insurance data for individuals in need of long-term care.
Platform Functionality
One of the main features of CareTree’s software is its online collaboration capabilities. This functionality is designed to improve the efficiency of caregiver operations and to enable seamless communication with the families of those receiving care.
Company Size and Revenue
Employing over 25 people, CareTree is considered a small business, yet it has managed to generate a considerable revenue stream. The company reports an estimated annual revenue of around $5 million.
Impact of the Data Breach
Following the data breach, CareTree took steps to address the situation by conducting an investigation and notifying affected individuals. The breach had serious implications due to the type of data CareTree handles, which includes comprehensive medical and financial information of patients and caretakers.
Data Breach Notification and Response
On December 11, 2023, CareTree sent out notifications to those impacted by the data breach. These notifications were intended to inform the victims about which of their personal information was compromised during the incident.