If you've ever felt anxiety over the phrase “data leak”, you've probably had a similar experience. Recently, employees at Eckerd Connects, a nonprofit organization that assists clients and families in locating education, training and employment, went through a similar occurrence. Unfortunately, they had a data breach. Cyber hackers breached Eckerd Connects' computer system and stole the highly sensitive information of thousands of people.
I know, sometimes a phone call is just not good enough, right? If this were to happen to me, I would probably need more support. That is why there are many people applying for identity monitoring services now. These services look for your name or information on other less-than-reputable websites and send you alerts based on anything they find suspect.
• Look at your bank and credit information to see if there’s anything out of the ordinary.
• Request the credit reporting bureau to look out for fraud or freeze your account.
• Check your health insurance bills for treatments you did not receive.
• Change your passwords to strong new ones.
Isn't it true? It feels like we are all just trying to get out ahead of whatever happens next-when there is some sort of breach of data. Be careful, surveil your private information-the world is not going to stop for you.!
What Happened?
On November 11, 2024, Eckerd Connects noticed something strange about its computer system. Upon investigation, they discovered hackers stole sensitive information, which they defined to include:- Names
- Home addresses
- Birth date
- Social Security numbers
- Health insurance information
- Medical information (such as appointments or illnesses)
Who Was Impacted?
Eckerd Connects has yet to specify how many individuals may have had their information compromised. However, they did report that it could be thousands. Can you imagine trusting an organization, then suddenly discovering your private information has been compromised and possibly shared on the dark web? Terrifying, right?What's Eckerd Connects Doing now?
They've taken the situation seriously. On September 26, 2025, Eckerd Connects posted a notice on their website acknowledging the data breach and that they would contact individuals affected by the breach via written communication. If you're interested in asking questions, they have a dedicated call center phone number at 866-291-2447, Monday through Friday.I know, sometimes a phone call is just not good enough, right? If this were to happen to me, I would probably need more support. That is why there are many people applying for identity monitoring services now. These services look for your name or information on other less-than-reputable websites and send you alerts based on anything they find suspect.
So, What Now if This Happens to You?
Here’s a basic list of things to do if you think your information is stolen:• Look at your bank and credit information to see if there’s anything out of the ordinary.
• Request the credit reporting bureau to look out for fraud or freeze your account.
• Check your health insurance bills for treatments you did not receive.
• Change your passwords to strong new ones.
The Conclusion
This Eckerd Connects incident demonstrates how easy it is for someone to take your private information these days. The best thing to do is to remain vigilant, monitor your accounts, and respond immediately if there is something unusual.Isn't it true? It feels like we are all just trying to get out ahead of whatever happens next-when there is some sort of breach of data. Be careful, surveil your private information-the world is not going to stop for you.!
