HHS OCR report · 2020
State of North Dakota data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- State of North Dakota
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- North Dakota
- Individuals affected
- 35,416
- Submission date
- Oct 27, 2020
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), the State of North Dakota, reported that several employees were the victims of an email phishing scheme that affected the protected health information (PHI) of 35,416 individuals. The PHI involved included names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, drivers’ license numbers, financial information, diagnoses, and other treatment information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and provided substitute notice. In response to the breach, the CE imple...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the State of North Dakota data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 35,416 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Oct 27, 2020.
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 State of North Dakota 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 State of North Dakota.