Austin Plastic Surgery Institute Faces Potential Data Breach Linked to Ransomware Group
Emerging reports indicate that Austin Plastic Surgery Institute (APSI), a Texas-based surgical clinic and med spa, may have suffered a data breach as early as August 18, 2026. The ransomware group PEAR has claimed responsibility for the suspected attack, according to posts on dark web monitoring sites.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org, a legal advocacy group, are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed on behalf of affected individuals, including current and former patients and staff. Those who believe their data may have been exposed are being urged to contact legal representatives to assist in the investigation. Participation is voluntary, with no upfront costs or obligations.
Details about the scope and nature of the breach remain unconfirmed, including what types of data may have been compromised. Potential impacts could include loss of privacy, financial harm, or identity theft for those affected. The investigation is ongoing, with no additional information released at this time.
Source: https://www.classaction.org/data-breach-lawsuits/austin-plastic-surgery-institute-august-2026
Austin Plastic Surgery Institute cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/austin-plastic-surgery-institute
"id": "AUS1787545637",
"linkid": "austin-plastic-surgery-institute",
"type": "Ransomware",
"date": "8/2026",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"
{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': 'Current and former patients and '
'staff',
'industry': 'Healthcare',
'location': 'Texas, USA',
'name': 'Austin Plastic Surgery Institute (APSI)',
'type': 'Surgical Clinic, Med Spa'}],
'customer_advisories': 'Affected individuals urged to contact legal '
'representatives',
'data_breach': {'personally_identifiable_information': True,
'sensitivity_of_data': 'Potentially high (personal and '
'medical data)'},
'date_detected': '2026-08-18',
'description': 'Emerging reports indicate that Austin Plastic Surgery '
'Institute (APSI), a Texas-based surgical clinic and med spa, '
'may have suffered a data breach as early as August 18, 2026. '
'The ransomware group PEAR has claimed responsibility for the '
'suspected attack. Attorneys are investigating whether a class '
'action lawsuit can be filed on behalf of affected '
'individuals, including current and former patients and staff.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': True,
'data_compromised': True,
'identity_theft_risk': True,
'legal_liabilities': True},
'investigation_status': 'Ongoing',
'ransomware': {'ransomware_strain': 'PEAR'},
'references': [{'source': 'Dark web monitoring sites'}],
'regulatory_compliance': {'legal_actions': 'Potential class action lawsuit'},
'response': {'third_party_assistance': 'ClassAction.org (legal advocacy '
'group)'},
'threat_actor': 'PEAR',
'title': 'Austin Plastic Surgery Institute Potential Data Breach Linked to '
'Ransomware Group',
'type': 'Data Breach, Ransomware'}