HHS OCR report · 2019
Sweetser data breach
Sweetser, a healthcare provider in Maine, reported a breach affecting 22,000 individuals to HHS OCR on Sep 13, 2019.
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Sweetser
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Maine
- Individuals affected
- 22,000
- Submission date
- Sep 13, 2019
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Sweetser, reported that several employees were the victims of an email phishing attack that affected the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 22,000 individuals. The ePHI involved included names, addresses, dates of birth, drivers’ license numbers, Social Security numbers, claims information, medical conditions, health insurance information, and other treatment information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and provided complimentary...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Sweetser data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 22,000 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Sep 13, 2019.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Hacking/IT Incident, with the breached information located in: Email.
Is the investigation still open?
No. The report is in the OCR portal archive, which holds reports where OCR has closed its review.
Is a breach notice letter from Sweetser legitimate?
This site cannot verify letters. Check the sender against the organisation's official website and the HHS OCR breach portal, and avoid calling numbers or clicking links only listed in an unexpected message. See our guide on what to do after a data breach notice.
Source: HHS OCR Breach Portal, OCR export October 2026. Network USA is not affiliated with HHS or Sweetser.