Monday, November 24, 2008

Express Scripts Warns of Potential Large Data Breach Tied to Threat

Express Scripts Warns of Potential Large Data Breach Tied to Threat

ST. LOUIS, Nov 6, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Express Scripts (Nasdaq:ESRX), one of the largest pharmacy benefit management companies in North America, today announced that it has received a letter from an unknown person or persons trying to extort money from the company by threatening to expose millions of the company's patients' records.

The letter included personal information of 75 members, including their names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and in some cases, their prescription information. The company said it has notified the affected members. It also immediately notified the FBI, which is investigating the crime. The company also said that it is conducting its own investigation with the help of outside experts in data security and computer forensics. The letter arrived in early October.

"We have been conducting a thorough investigation since we received this threat and we are taking it very seriously," said George Paz, chairman and chief executive officer. "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."(Full text at express-scripts.com)

And a followup report states that Express Scripts has hired Kroll, Inc. to assist with the Identity Theft investigation and protection of its clients.

Express Scripts Reports New Threats Tied to Data Security Breach

Company Announces $1 Million Reward

Company Hires Kroll to Offer Data Security Consultation,
Investigation and Restoration to Its Members

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 11, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Express Scripts (Nasdaq:ESRX), one of the largest pharmacy benefit management companies in North America, announced today that a small number of its clients have received letters threatening to expose the personal information of its members. The threats are believed to be connected to an extortion threat the company made public last week.

The letters, which were received by Express Scripts' clients in the past few days, are similar in form to the one that Express Scripts said it received in early October from an unknown person or persons threatening to publicly expose millions of the company's members' records if an extortion threat was not met. That original letter included the personal data of 75 Express Scripts members. The company publicly disclosed the extortion threat last week and is notifying affected members.

...In a separate announcement, Express Scripts said it would offer its members free identity restoration services if they become victims of identity theft because of this incident...

...Express Scripts said it has contracted with Kroll, a New York-based risk-consulting firm and global data security leader to offer expert assistance to its members if they have become victims of identity theft because of this incident. (emphasis added) The members will have access to Kroll's expert consultants and licensed investigators who will work with them to evaluate their cases and determine the appropriate course of action. Express Scripts said that it is not aware of any actual misuse of its members' data.

Details about Kroll's services and the identity restoration offer can be found at www.esisupports.com...

About Kroll

Kroll, the world's leading risk-consulting company, provides a broad range of investigative, intelligence, financial, security and technology services to help clients reduce risks, solve problems and capitalize on opportunities. Kroll Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC), the global professional services firm. Kroll began providing identity theft solutions in 1999 and created its Fraud Solutions practice in 2002 in response to increasing requests from clients for counsel and services associated with the loss of sensitive personal information, and related identity protection and restoration issues facing organizations and individuals.

For more information, visit: www.krollfraudsolutions.com. (Full text at ExpressScripts.com)

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To learn more about Identity Theft and what to do if you are a victim, visit www.StopIdTheftCrime.com and subscribe to the newsletter to obtain your free 46 page eBook "Fighting Back Against Identity Theft".

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