Premera Blue Cross says data breach could affect 11M people

NEW YORK — Premera Blue Cross, a health insurer based in Mountlake Terrace, says it was the victim of a cyberattack that could affect 11 million people.

The company says hackers gained access to its information technology systems. The breach could have exposed members’ information including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, mailing and email addresses, phone numbers, member ID numbers and bank account information.

It says claims information, including clinical information as well as the personal information of people who did business with Premera, could also have been exposed.

The company says it has not found evidence that data was removed from its systems or that customer information has been used inappropriately.

The attack occurred May 5 and Premera discovered it Jan. 29.

“I’m concerned that while Premera learned of this attack in January, it took approximately six weeks to notify my office,” Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kriedler said in a prepared statement. “I understand that the company was working closely with the FBI and cyberattack experts to clean their system of the infection. Premera has assured me that there is no evidence to date that any information was removed from their system or that any data has been used.”