Computer Hackers Have Targeted "Plastic Surgery Clinics" to Steal Secrets of 500,000 Patients

Computer Hackers have targeted a British breast job clinics to steal online secrets of 500,000 potential cosmetic surgery patients. The hackers swiped online forms detailing people’s queries on tummy tucks, breast jobs and liposuction.

The stolen data also includes potential clients’ names, ages, phone numbers and addresses.

The thieves struck last month by using a Russian email address to target the Harley Medical Group, which has 21 clinics nationwide.

But bosses at the group, based in Thames Ditton, Surrey, called in police after the thieves tried to blackmail them.

The group has now apologized to those affected and has beefed up its online security systems.

Harley Medical Group bosses also reported the cyber theft to the police and Information Commissioner. And they have insisted that clinical and financial details were not accessed.

A spokesman said: “We became aware an individual had deliberately bypassed our website security, gaining access to contact information from initial enquiries in an attempt to extort money from the company.”

Ex-Towie beauty Amy Childs, 23, who has had two breast jobs, said patients should be guaranteed privacy.

Amy, whose surgery was not carried out by the company, said: “A lot of people like to keep procedures private.

“It’s usually because you’re not confident about your body and that’s why you change it.

“If you’re in the public eye you have to discuss this, but if you’re not and it’s suddenly out there it must be terrible.”

A spokesman for the Information Commissioner said: “We’ll be making enquiries.”

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