Social Security Numbers Printed on Envelopes and Sent Through Mail

The California Department of Health Care Services leaves almost 50,000 elderly patients’ information at risk after sending letters to those in the Adult Day Health Care program with their Social Security numbers printed on their mailing address labels.

The department acknowledges the error, and has contacted those affected with follow-up letters, and they encourage recipients to destroy the envelopes and carefully monitor their credit reports and/or contact their credit reporting agencies to ensure no suspicious activity has occurred. Credit protection is highly recommended to those who may be at risk for identity theft.

Stolen Laptops Raise Security Issues with Florida Health Information Company

In December of 2009, AvMed Health Plan in Gainesville, Florida discovered the theft of two company laptops with personally identifiable information, such as Social Security numbers, names, addresses, and personal health information, store on the systems. Although it is believed that the risk of identity theft is somewhat low, there is still a risk that needs to be acted upon by the company.

AvMed Health Plan has set up credit monitoring services for the 200,000 people who may have their information at risk for identity theft.

Currently, investigation is underway, and speculations include that the theft was an inside job, as the laptops were locked in a conference room, and only employees, security and the cleaning crew had keys to access the room.

In the meantime, credit monitoring protection is available to those who may have had their information at risk during this data breach.

Wyoming Department of Health leaves Health Insurance Information Exposed Online

The Wyoming Department of Health is doing damage control after learning that the personal information of about 9,000 children is at risk for misuse after the information turned up online unsecure and accessible.

Their system shows the information was accessed 94 times, but they are unsure what was business access and what was public access. Officials are still investigating, but in the meantime, credit monitoring services by Debix are being offered to families whose children’s data may be at risk for identity theft.

Social Security Numbers Visible Through Students’ Mail

The University of Texas at El Paso has notified all students of an incident involving their tax documents. Due to the university’s folding machine, the students’ tax forms were sent through the mail with the Social Security numbers visible through the address window.

The University has notified their 15,000 students of the incident, and reminds them to monitor their credit reports for unusual activities or sign up for an identity theft protection service.

Missing Mail Causes Reason for Worry

In January, Highmark sent a detailed health insurance billing statement to Boscov’s Department Store in Reading, Pennsylvania. The data, printed and mailed in a standard envelope, arrived torn, damaged, and with pages missing.

Although the initial thought is that the information was lost through the mail, there is still reason to worry–where the missing data is is the primary concern for Highmark and Boscov’s.

Approximately 3,7000 members’ information was in this envelope, and Highmark has sent letters to those affected, offering free credit monitoring services in the event identity theft occurs from this particular incident.

Payroll Firm Victim of Hacker Attack on their Systems

Large payroll processing firm, Ceridian Corpo. of Bloomington, Minnesota, had their system breached by a hacker, and now the names, Social Security numbers, and bank account information of some 27,000 employees working at 1,900 companies around the nation are at risk of being used for identity theft.

Sometime around the end of December, a hacker got into Ceridian’s payroll system and the breach is considered serious considering the information that was stored on their databases.

Ceridian has also been the victim of a disgruntled former employee stealing personal information back in 2007. Financial information was also at risk in this incident, as well, and Ceridian is taking the proper steps per their protocol to notify those affected and to take the steps to prevent another security breach from happening in the future. In the meantime, it is highly suggested that those affected sign up for credit monitoring services.

Columbia University offers Identity Theft Protection Services after Laptops with Personal Data Stolen

Mid January, 2010, Columbia University reported that some 1,400 current, former, and prospective students to Columbia University had their information saved on laptops that were stolen from the Columbia College office.

A statement was sent out to all of those affected, even though the stolen laptops were password protected. Considering the information stored on the laptops was highly sensitive, including Social Security numbers and the like, they have decided to offer identity theft protection services to all those whose data is at risk. In the meantime, a criminal investigation is underway to attempt to obtain the laptops back and arrest those involved with the theft occurrence.

California University Employees at Risk for Identity Theft Due to Computer Virus

A sophisticated computer virus was found on a computer at Humboldt State University, which left the personal data of approximately 3,500 past employees of the school at risk for identity theft.

The virus, which is utilized to steal log in information from the computer, allows access to outsiders, thus leaving the Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information of employees who worked between 2002 and 2006.

It is encouraged that those who have worked for the Humboldt State University sign up for credit monitoring services to ensure that their data and financial security is safe and secure, and to watch for unusual activities on their accounts.

http://www.creditprotectionpro.com/credit-monitoring-services/

Some 80,000 Records of Casino Employee Information Accessed Due to Server Hack

The Department of Administrative Services in Iowa notified the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission that there was a system hack on a computer server that is home to some 80,000 records of casino employees.

This data, which includes names, birthdays and Social Security numbers, has been accessed by an outside source, but there have been no reports of improper use at this point. It is advised that those who have obtained an occupational license for Iowa gaming and racing venues keep a close eye on their personal credit reports and monitor for identity theft activities by utilizing a credit report monitoring service.

State of Alaska Fears the Worst for Possible Identity Theft Victims

The accounting firm, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLC, is in hot water after the Attorney General finds out that the company knew of a data breach since early December 2009, but just recently released the information.

The data breach affects some 77,000 Alaskans who will now need to be paid for identity theft protection services in the event victims arise from this situation. This is a settlement that could run Alaska millions of dollars if it becomes a serious incident.

This security breach involves the birthdates, Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information of public employees, teachers or retirees who worked for the state of Alaska before the year 2005. This could be, potentially, a huge expense and hassle for all those involved.

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