Sometimes you think your PHI have escaped a ransomware attack…. but they may not have as this notification from Northwest Rheumatology reminds us. On April 10, 2017, Northwest Rheumatology (“NW Rheumatology”) experienced a ransomware incident which left a limited portion of its computer system encrypted and inaccessible. NW Rheumatology immediately contacted its computer security vendor…
Category: U.S.
Couple who stole Parkland, Baylor patient names to bill Medicare get federal prison time
Almost six years after I first reported on this breach and almost three years after they pleaded guilty, a Texas couple has been sentenced to prison. Kevin Krause reports: A Dallas company enticed patients to use Medicare-funded home health care they didn’t need by giving them grocery gift cards and cash, federal prosecutors say. Dallas Home Health Care…
No one taking responsibility for exposed medical records at Forest Hill
Barb Ickes reports: More than six weeks have passed since notice was given: Children were breaking into a vacant nursing home in East Moline and stealing people’s medical records. Several city officials, including police and the mayor, were notified immediately. The Illinois Attorney General was contacted. Ditto for the Illinois Department of Public Health and…
HBO hacked: Hackers threaten to leak Game of Thrones (UPDATED)
Update: I made e-mail contact with the hackers earlier today. This really doesn’t seem to be the work of TheDarkOverlord at all. One of the hackers, who identified himself as “Mr. Smith” to me claims that they have “gathered most imporatnt files and films & scripts and so on.” (sic), and that they have ”…
Wilmington doctor indicted on insurance fraud and identity theft charges
Esteban Parra reports: A Wilmington psychiatrist – a former Delaware Medical Board officer – has been indicted on charges he submitted more than $100,000 in insurance claims over a two-year period for visits that did not occur. To facilitate this fraud, Dr. Karl McIntosh used his patients’ personal identifying information without their consent, according to the state Department…
TX: Scope of Cameron Co. Personal Information Breach Unknown
KRGV has a follow-up on a story they’ve been following this year. Christian Von Preysing reports: The Texas Attorney General’s Office is investigating how a Cameron County computer server with the personal information of tens of thousands of residents ended up at a flea market. In May, CHANNEL 5 NEWS reported an analysis of a…