​Malware attack at BJC Healthcare impacts 5,850 individuals

• The attack has affected those individuals who entered their payment card details between October 25 and November 8, 2018.
• Apart from payment card details, patients’ names, dates of birth and billing account numbers could have been acquired in the hack.

A malware attack at BJC Healthcare in St.Louis, Missouri has resulted in the compromise of its online payment portal and loss of credit card information of 5,850 individuals. The attack has affected those individuals who entered their payment card details between October 25 and November 8, 2018.

Type of information compromised

According the BJC, the officials learned about the attack on November 19, 2018. They found that a malicious software installed on the website was intercepting the payment information submitted online.

The health system believes that apart from payment card details, patients’ names, dates of birth and billing account numbers could have been acquired in the hack. However, no Social Security Numbers or medical information are affected.

Dealing with the attack

The health firm says that there is no evidence of misuse of any data and that it has started working promptly towards securing its systems.

"BJC has no indication to date that any information was actually misused. As a precaution, individuals whose payment information may have been exposed are advised to carefully review credit card and bank statements and immediately contact their credit card holder or banking institution about any inconsistencies or suspicious activity,” said the officials in a press release, Business Journal reported.

The institution has implemented additional security procedures to enhance protection against such malware attacks. It has also notified the affected individuals via email.