DataBreaches.Net

Menu
  • About
  • Breach Notification Laws
  • Privacy Policy
  • Transparency Report
Menu

FL: Palm Beach County Health Department employee pilfered patient information

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Dissent

Ed Komenda reports:

With a few key strokes and clicks of a mouse, an employee with the Palm Beach County Health Department accessed everything.

The employee used a computer to view all manner of patient records. Names, prescriptions, social security numbers: nothing new to someone who had walked through the department’s halls for years.

But on Friday, that employee was fired after authorities determined he or she created a list of the names and social security numbers of at least 86 patients before trying to mail the data to use in any number of ID scams.

Read more on SunSentinel. Although they nipped this one in time to prevent the data being mailed, there were reportedly previous incidents where other data was misused.

A statement posted today on the department’s web site says:

The Palm Beach County Health Department is issuing a public notice that some patients of its Health Centers may have had confidential information contained in their records disclosed to an unauthorized source. The breach occurred when an employee created a client list containing names and social security numbers from patients at the Clinics and attempted to mail the list. Law enforcement confiscated the list containing 86 names in May and advised they were likely being used for fraudulent activity.

The confiscated document contained only names and social security numbers. Medical information, bank account, credit card or other personal information was not included. Further investigation by law enforcement has revealed additional names have now been used for fraudulent activity that had been Health Department patients.

“We are taking every precaution possible and cooperating with law enforcement to assure all records are maintained with the utmost of security,” said Health Department Director Alina Alonso, M.D. Dr. Alonso added, persons who have been a patient in one of the Health Department Health Centers and identified on the lists have been notified by mail.

However, the Health Department has not been able to contact all identified from lists and is issuing this public notice. Persons who have been a patient in one of the health centers should review their credit history for any fraudulent or suspicious activities they have not authorized. A free report can be obtained at www.annualcreditreport.com. If you have had fraudulent activity contact the Palm Beach County Sheriff Office. The health department can answer general questions at 561-671-4014.

The employee has been permanently removed from access to any and all health department information.

The security of patient information is of critical importance to the department. The State of Florida, the Florida Department of Health, and Palm Beach County Health Department is fully committed to safeguarding all confidential information.

So if the list was intercepted in May, why is the public notice first appearing in August?

Category: Health Data

Post navigation

← Computer with records stolen from Stanford
Update: About 9,200 people affected by Clarksville-Montgomery County School System hacking →

Now more than ever

"Stand with Ukraine:" above raised hands. The illustration is in blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine's flag.

Search

Browse by Categories

Recent Posts

  • PowerSchool hacker pleads guilty, released on personal recognizance bond
  • Rewards for Justice offers $10M reward for info on RedLine developer or RedLine’s use by foreign governments
  • New evidence links long-running hacking group to Indian government
  • Zaporizhzhia Cyber ​​Police Exposes Hacker Who Caused Millions in Losses to Victims by Mining Cryptocurrency
  • Germany fines Vodafone $51 million for privacy, security breaches
  • Google: Hackers target Salesforce accounts in data extortion attacks
  • The US Grid Attack Looming on the Horizon
  • US govt login portal could be one cyberattack away from collapse, say auditors
  • Two Men Sentenced to Prison for Aggravated Identity Theft and Computer Hacking Crimes
  • 100,000 UK taxpayer accounts hit in £47m phishing attack on HMRC

No, You Can’t Buy a Post or an Interview

This site does not accept sponsored posts or link-back arrangements. Inquiries about either are ignored.

And despite what some trolls may try to claim: DataBreaches has never accepted even one dime to interview or report on anyone. Nor will DataBreaches ever pay anyone for data or to interview them.

Want to Get Our RSS Feed?

Grab it here:

https://databreaches.net/feed/

RSS Recent Posts on PogoWasRight.org

  • How the FBI Sought a Warrant to Search Instagram of Columbia Student Protesters
  • Germany fines Vodafone $51 million for privacy, security breaches
  • Malaysia enacts data sharing rules for public sector
  • U.S. Enacts Take It Down Act
  • 23andMe Bankruptcy Judge Ponders Trump Bill’s Injunction Impact
  • Hell No: The ODNI Wants to Make it Easier for the Government to Buy Your Data Without Warrant
  • US State Dept. says silence or anonymity on social media is suspicious

Have a News Tip?

Email: Tips[at]DataBreaches.net

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

Contact Me

Email: info[at]databreaches.net

Mastodon: Infosec.Exchange/@PogoWasRight

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

DMCA Concern: dmca[at]databreaches.net
© 2009 – 2025 DataBreaches.net and DataBreaches LLC. All rights reserved.