DataBreaches.Net

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

University Dental Associates LLP notified 2,400 patients of stolen laptop

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Dissent

In December, 2012, University Dental Associates at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York  notified 2,400 patients that a laptop containing their PHI had been stolen from their office.  Although the theft both occurred and was discovered on November 21, it was not reported to the NYPD until November 26, 2012.

The computer was password-protected, but files were not encrypted, and contained patients’ names, Social Security numbers, addresses, dates of birth, and billing codes for services the patients received.

I’ve uploaded a  copy of the notification letter submitted to NYS Division of Consumer Protection,  obtained in response to a freedom of information request. It was  signed by partners Alvin D. Fried, DDS and Julius R. Berger, DDS, and did not offer patients any credit protection services.  It did state, however, that appropriate governmental agencies had been notified in December 2012.   Presumably, that would include HHS, but I do not see this breach on their public-facing breach tool.  Is HHS that far behind in verifying breaches?

Once I became aware of this breach, I was able to find a copy of the breach notice on the practice’s web site.

Curiously, this is the second breach I’ve learned about today that involved the theft of a laptop with unencrypted patient data from a dental office and the second breach of this kind that doesn’t appear on HHS’s breach tool yet. It seems that encryption is still not being routinely deployed, which is a concern. I wonder if HHS will decide to send a stronger message that HIPAA-covered entities cannot count on physical security in their offices to protect PHI.

Category: Health Data

Post navigation

← NYS DMV clerk charged with illegal search of DMV records
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, a hospital reports a breach →

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

  • CoinMarketCap Hacked, Scrambles to Remove Malicious Wallet Verification Popup
  • Montana Attorney General launches investigation into Lee Enterprises data breach
  • AT&T gets preliminary approval for $177 million data breach settlement
  • Aflac notifies SEC of breach suspected to be work of Scattered Spider
  • Former JBLM soldier pleads guilty to attempting to share military secrets with China
  • No, the 16 billion credentials leak is not a new data breach — a wake-up call about fake news (Updated)
  • Tonga’s health system hit by cyberattack (1)
  • Russia Expert Falls Prey to Elite Hackers Disguised as US Officials
  • Proposed class action settlement in In re Netgain Technology litigation
  • Qilin Offers “Call a lawyer” Button For Affiliates Attempting To Extort Ransoms From Victims Who Won’t Pay

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

  • The Markup caught 4 more states sharing personal health data with Big Tech
  • Privacy in the Big Sky State: Montana’s Consumer Privacy Law Gets Amended
  • UK Passes Data Use and Access Regulation Bill
  • Officials defend Liberal bill that would force hospitals, banks, hotels to hand over data
  • US Judge Invalidates Biden Rule Protecting Privacy for Abortions
  • DOJ’s Data Security Program: Key Compliance Considerations for Impacted Entities
  • 23andMe fined £2.31 million for failing to protect UK users’ genetic data

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.