15 Million Americans’ Personal Data Stolen in Major Healthcare Insurer Breach
Massive Cyberattack Exposes Sensitive Data of Aflac Customers
(Include image: Aflac logo with caption: "Aflac, a major U.S. insurer with 50M+ global customers, confirmed a breach affecting millions.")
Aflac, one of the largest U.S. insurance providers, disclosed a major data breach exposing Social Security numbers, health claims, and personal details of customers, employees, and agents. The June 12 attack, linked to notorious hacking group Scattered Spider, exploited social engineering tactics—manipulating employees to divulge credentials rather than technical vulnerabilities. While Aflac claims the breach was contained quickly, 11 class-action lawsuits allege negligence in safeguarding data.
How the Hack Unfolded
The attackers, part of the cybercrime network The Com, bypassed security by impersonating employees and tricking help desk teams—a hallmark of Scattered Spider’s identity-based strategies. Unlike ransomware, this breach focused on extracting sensitive data, which is highly valuable on the black market. Cybersecurity experts note similar tactics were used in recent attacks on Erie Insurance and Philadelphia Insurance Companies.
(Include image: Cybersecurity team analyzing data with caption: "Aflac enlisted third-party experts to assess the breach’s scope, which remains under investigation.")
Aflac’s Response
In a June SEC filing, Aflac acknowledged the breach but did not confirm the number affected. The company emphasized its systems were not ransomware-compromised and offered free credit monitoring and identity theft protection. A dedicated call center launched June 20 to assist victims.
Broader Threat Landscape
The incident is part of a surge in cyberattacks targeting insurers. John Hultquist of Google’s Mandiant Intelligence warns of rising “targeted intrusions” in the sector. Scattered Spider, active since 2022, has previously hit tech firms, casinos, and retailers, often using threats of violence to coerce access.
(Include image: Hacker silhouette with digital lock overlay, caption: "Scattered Spider’s social engineering tactics bypass even multi-factor authentication.")
Risks to Victims
Exposed data—including health records—heightens risks of fraud, scams, and medical identity theft. Steve Cagle, CEO of cybersecurity firm Clearwater, notes, “This group’s specialty is exploiting human vulnerabilities, not just tech flaws.”
Global Cyberattack Surge
Check Point Research reports a 44% global increase in cyberattacks in 2024, driven by advanced social engineering and AI-powered phishing. Aflac joins a growing list of companies bolstering monitoring tools post-breach, as experts anticipate more insurers will reveal similar incidents.
(Include image: Graph showing rising cyberattack trends, caption: "Global cyberattacks rose 44% in 2024, per Check Point Research.")
Key Takeaways
- What’s exposed: Names, SSNs, health data, claims.
- Response: Free credit monitoring; investigations ongoing.
- Protect yourself: Monitor accounts, enable fraud alerts, and verify suspicious contacts.
Aflac reiterated its commitment to data security, stating, “We regret this incident occurred.” However, the breach underscores urgent calls for enhanced employee training and multi-layered defense strategies in high-risk industries.
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