Anthem Says Hacked Database Included 78.8 Mln People

(RTTNews) - Anthem Inc. (ANTM), the second-biggest health insurer in the U.S., said the recent hacker attack exposed 78.8 million people, including 60 million to 70 million of the company's current and former customers and employees.

It was reported earlier this month that in the attack that was discovered in January, hackers broke into a database that held personal information of about 80 million customers and employees.

Anthem has now said that among others, the attack exposed names, birthdays and social security numbers. However, medical information or financial details are said to have been not exposed in the attack.

The company, which owns Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in 14 states, said 8.8 million to 18.8 million people who were not its customers could be victims in the hacker attack.

Customers of Blue Cross Blue Shield can receive medical services even when they are in an area where BCBS is operated by a different company.

Anthem said records for about 14 million people in the hacked database were incomplete, and it is possible that they are not currently active customers.