With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
LA County Department Of Mental Health Announces It Was Victim Of Cyberattack
(
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
)
Topline:
The L.A. County Department of Mental Health announced Friday that it was the victim of a phishing email attack in October that may have compromised some clients' names, addresses and Social Security numbers.
The department said up to 1,284 clients may have been affected by the data breach.
What happened: According to the department, a malicious actor or actors accessed the Microsoft account of an employee on Oct. 17 by using a tactic known as push notification spamming. The department said in a press release that it hired a “nationally recognized” forensic firm, and on Oct. 24 determined that certain emails or attachments contained information, including names accompanied by one or more of the following: dates of birth, addresses, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, and client record numbers.
Call center: DMH has set up a dedicated call center for clients who have questions or want to know if they were affected. Clients can call 866-983-5589, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. PST.
Support for LAist comes from
What’s next: DMH said it regrets any inconvenience the breach may have caused. The department said it’s taking action to increase the security of its computer systems.
The department did not disclose why the data breach wasn't publicly announced until two months after it occurred.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist