They’re seeking class-action status.
Nine optometrists and a student have filed a lawsuite against the National Board of Examiners in Optometry in connection with a data breach that has affected the profession, the American Optometric Association reports.
The suit “alleges that NBEO, or a party within its control, failed to protect sensitive personal information-names, birthdates, Social Security numbers (SSNs), addresses or credit card information-of exam takers and others contained in NBEO’s systems,” according to AOA. It was filed last month in the U.S. District Court of Maryland.
The plaintiffs are seeking class-action status.
“The complaint goes on to claim that NBEO not only failed to provide notice of the breach to victims, but also denied its responsibility for the breach,” AOA reports.
Advertisement
The plaintiffs are seeking damages and restitution along with attorneys’ fees and injunctive relief.
The complaint states: “The fraud resulting from this data breach is as extensive as any data breach in history, with an alarming percentage of optometrists practicing in the United States having already suffered identity theft and fraud. The damage resulting from this breach is extensive and ongoing.”
AOA writes: “It’s believed that fraudsters stole personal information to take advantage of an Amazon.com promotion where enrollees for a Chase Amazon Vision credit card would receive $50 in their account. The complaint alleges fraudsters used victims’ real information for the application, then linked the card to a false account to collect the money. But, subsequently, the fraud has expanded beyond these Chase Amazon cards and affected victims’ other accounts.”
Read more at AOA
