Health Care: September 2007 Archives

Thieves stole two computers from the Pennsylvania Public Welfare Agency that contained the personal records of people who receive medial assistance benefits for the treatment of mental health and substance abuse problems. The information stored on the computers included the names and Social Security numbers of people receiving benefits.

The department of Public Welfare has begun the process of notifying close to 375,000 people who receive benefits and who could potentially be affected by the thefts. The department is notifying patients of the steps they can take to avoid and identify identity theft.

Source: "Computers stolen from Pa. public-welfare agency had consumer info," Sept. 11, Associated Press.

The personal information of 5,700 current and former John Hopkins Hospital patients is at risk because of the theft of a single desktop computer. The computer included the names of patients, their social security numbers, birth dates, and their medical information.

The theft occurred more than a month ago. Hospital officials waited two weeks after the theft before reporting the incident to police. Affected patients were not notified that their personal information was at risk until August 24th, almost one month after the theft.