Michigan Health System Alerts 743,000 After Cyberattack

More than 700,000 people in Michigan are being notified this week that their personal information may have been exposed in a cybersecurity incident linked to one of the state’s largest healthcare systems.

McLaren Health Care has sent notices to roughly 743,000 patients after their personal data was potentially accessed during a cyberattack. That information includes names, Social Security numbers, health insurance details, and in some cases, driver’s license numbers.

What Happened in the Cyberattack?

The cyberattack happened in the summer of 2024 but was not publicly disclosed until weeks later. According to McLaren, hackers gained access to its systems between July 17 and August 3. The breach was not discovered until August 5, and it took several months of investigation to determine exactly what information had been compromised.

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This was the second ransomware attack against McLaren Health Care, following a similar incident in 2023.

Who Was Behind the Breach?

The incident has been linked to a ransomware group known as INC Ransom, which claimed responsibility by posting stolen files online. Cybersecurity analysts believe the group is part of a growing wave of criminal organizations targeting health systems, where patient data can be especially valuable on the black market.

After an official filing on Friday, June 20, McLaren began sending notices to 743,131 patients impacted by the breach.

What Should You Do if You Were Affected?

Patients who receive an official notice from McLaren should take steps to protect their personal data:

• Enroll in the offered credit monitoring
• Monitor your financial and medical accounts for unusual activity
• Consider placing fraud alerts or credit freezes with major credit bureaus
• Watch for related legal notices — class-action lawsuits are already being filed

McLaren Health Care operates 13 hospitals across Michigan, along with numerous labs and other medical care centers, making it one of the state’s largest healthcare providers.