Thomas Hargrove writes: The Social Security Administration has failed to inform tens of thousands of Americans that it accidentally released their names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers in an electronic database widely used by U.S. business groups. The federal agency has kept silent about a potentially harmful security breach of the personal data…
Category: U.S.
GA: 9,000 victims in Gwinnett ID theft case
This is a follow-up on reports that started appearing in April of this year. Authorities originally estimated that there might be 5,800 victims, but it seems the number has climbed. Amanda Moyer reports: More identity theft cases stemming from a bust earlier this year are coming to light. Police say the total is up to…
Stolen hard drive could affect 582 Ohioans enrolled in United Healthcare Medicare plans – but they’re just finding out more than 3 months later
Tim Tresslar reports: United Healthcare said Tuesday a hard drive containing information on 582 Ohioans who are members of its Medicare plans has been stolen from a vendor.The Minnetonka, Minn.-based company said it is notifying the affected members by mail. United HealthCare’s commercial health plans are not affected. The hard drive belonged to Futurity First Insurance Group,…
Malpractice lawyer loses hard drive with patient records
Tricia Bishop reports: A Baltimore law firm lost a portable hard drive containing information about its cases, including medical records for 161 stent patients suing cardiologist Mark G. Midei for alleged malpractice at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson. The drive was lost Aug. 4 by an employee of the firm Baxter, Baker, Sidle, Conn & Jones who was traveling…
GA: Former bank employee accused of theft, identity fraud
J. Scott Trubey reports: A Villa Rica woman who formerly worked for a bank will make an initial court appearance Wednesday on charges that she siphoned money out of customer accounts and stole identities to make fraudulent loans. Sherri Whitlock Hines, 40, was indicted last week in Carroll County Superior Court on five counts of…
Stolen TechCentral laptop contained Social Security numbers and credit card numbers
On August 27, Texas-based TechCentral, a division of Henry Schein Practice Solutions, learned that a laptop had been stolen from one of its employees. The laptop contained customer information including names, Social Security numbers, and credit card numbers. By letter dated September 28, affected customers were notified of the breach and offered free credit monitoring….