Jul 02, 2024
ESCONDIDO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Online system disruptions with Palomar Health Medical Group or PHMG have been ongoing for nearly two months and its users are fighting back. Now, FOX 5/KUSI have obtained a class-action complaint against the provider - claiming negligence and failure to maintain cybersecurity. “It's just unbelievable how much anxiety this has created for me," shared PHMG user John Tucker of Encinitas. For nearly 60 days and counting, Tucker has lost simple access to health care. Our crews first met Tucker this June after Gray Bill Medical, also known as Palomar Health Medical Group's phone and online system, went dark following "suspicious activity," according to the provider. "Nothing has changed, at all," Tucker said. “...Still can't get prescriptions without going into the office, and then it takes three to five days to process it.” It's a reality Tucker says is adding to his ongoing burden amid his fight against cancer and his wife's struggles with multiple sclerosis. "My wife is like, we should just file a lawsuit because she’s had to go to the hospital, to get her catheter changed," he said. While Tucker hasn't filed yet, FOX 5/KUSI has since obtained a class-action complaint filed against PHMG at the end of June with the San Diego Superior Court. The suit alleges negligence and failure to implement and maintain reasonable cybersecurity measures. Multiple cars stolen from Mission Valley garage; suspects sought “They’re playing chess, and we’re playing checkers," said cybersecurity and ethical hacker Steven McKeon, who is the CEO of MacguverTech. McKeon suggests medical groups are easy prey for hackers who can then sell the most precious of personal data on the dark web for a nice profit. “These systems are not able to defend themselves against the more sophisticated hackers using AI and more of the newer tools - so that’s why a lot of these hospital systems have been hacked because it's an easy target," McKeon said. The complaint goes on to suggest the plaintiff and others have suffered harm, alleging personal information exposed to criminals has increased stress and fear of identity theft or fraud. “Quality medical care relies on the information we share with our medical provider - the most sensitive information - But even if you don't have concrete evidence that your confidential information has been compromised, there’s that anticipatory trauma that it could be," FOX 5 & KUSI legal analyst Wendy Patrick explained. As far as Tucker, not only worries about his family's dire care, the burden of the unknown state of his privacy looms. "My social security, what can you do with that? Everything. My birthday and social security, you can do even more, my personal records? Now you know everything about me,” Tucker said.  FOX 5/KUSI reached out to Palomar Health Medical group in June and this week for confirmation on the potential security breach and updates on the progress of its systems, but have yet to hear back.
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