Express Scripts and a website for more info on identity theft

From John Curry, November 8, 2008

www.pharmalot.com

Scripts Receives Extortion Threat

By Ed Silverman
November 6th, 2008

The big pharmacy benefits manager says it received a letter in early October from an unknown person or persons trying to extort money by threatening to expose millions of patients’ records. The letter included personal data - including dates of birth, social security numbers, and in some cases, their prescription info - for 75 of its members, who were notified, along with the FBI.

“We have been conducting a thorough investigation since we received this threat and we are taking it very seriously,” George Paz, Express Scripts’ ceo and chairman, in a statement. “We are cooperating with the FBI and are committed to doing what we can to protect our members’ personal information and to track down the person or persons responsible for this criminal act…a threat like this against our members is outrageous.”

The PBM insists it uses a variety of security systems designed to protect members’ personal info from unauthorized access. “However, as security experts know, no data system is completely invulnerable,” Paz continues. “We continue to conduct our investigation. We are notifying our members and clients to enable them to take steps to protect themselves from possible identity theft.”

Express Scripts launched a website for members to obtain information about this security incident and to access resources and information to help them protect themselves against the possibility of identity theft.