Identity theft....again

[carofl93]

State is FL.

I wasn't sure where to put this, so I apologize if it's in the wrong spot....someone please let me know, and I'll be glad to move it.

I got a letter from Fort Walton Beach Medical Center's parent company, HCA, last week. It seems that a computer with sensitive information was stolen...unsure as to if the equipment was located in FL or if it was in TN where HCA is headquartered.

The letter stated that my information was on this computer. They gave a rather vague explanation that my SSN and 'demographic' information was on the computer. They are generously offering credit fraud monitoring, but I am already a victim of unrelated identity theft, so I already have this in place.

I called the 1-800 number given to me in the letter to ask them some questions that they were either unwilling or unable to answer. Being displeased with this, I wrote a letter requesting further information. Below is the body of my letter:

I received a letter notifying me that a computer had been stolen containing my information. The letter was quite vague. I turned to my local newspaper, the Northwest Florida Daily News, hoping to get more information. I found that the newspaper article dated 9 April 2007 gave me far more information than your letter.
I would like to know what sort of information regarding myself was on this stolen computer. The newspaper article says it is demographic information as well as social security numbers. My husband was active duty military when I was admitted to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, meaning he was my sponsor for Tri Care. Tri Care uses social security numbers to identify their clients. I need to know if my husband’s information was on the stolen computer as well. I would also like to know if my son’s information was among the stolen information since I was at the hospital to have a caesarian section and my son had complications after birth.
I am also a bit perturbed as to the fact that my information was on a computer over two years after I used the facility. I had my son at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center only because the Eglin Air Force Base Hospital’s maternity wing was being remodeled.
I am already a victim of identity theft unrelated to the theft. I don’t give out my social security number lightly. I am extremely worried about this issue. Your letter states: “Our hospital has a strong commitment to the privacy and security of patient information.” If there is such a strong commitment to privacy and security, why was my information that is over two years old being toted around on a computer by one of your staff members? I believe your hospital and HCA have failed in their duty to protect my privacy and security as well as that of my family.

I tried very hard not to let any emotions fall in the letter, and was wondering if they are legally bound to answer my questions regarding the information that was stolen?

Thanks if you read all the way through this mess. Somedays I swear it'd be easier to run off and buy a new identity from Guido....

Carol

 

[racer72]

My employer has had 2 laptop computers stolen, both contained employee information including SSN's. There is really nothing you can do but accept the monitering of your credit report. It is actually highly unlikely any of the information will be used against you. These types of theft are usually done by someone looking for quick cash to buy drugs. The first thing the theif does is wipe the hard drive to remove any information from the computer, a clean computer is easier to get rid of. Unless someone tries to use the info, there is nothing you can do, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

[carofl93]

I figure that the worst has already happened....with the lady who used my SSN back home in NM. I'm just aggravated that my info was on a laptop 2 years after I used the hospital. My hubby's already on the credit monitoring program offered by the VA since his info was taken a while back.
Fun stuff, eh.

Thanks for your help, Racer!

 

[Ladynred]

Hospitals, HCA, and most providers retain historical information for all kinds of reasons. HCA has many systems that it uses to maintain it's records, including billing history, patient demographics data, and a host of other information required to run such a huge hospital management company. How do I know this ?? I work for the company.

You have been duly notified and they have offered what they can. This data breach, while disturbing, is tiny in comparison to the 8 MILLION accounts that were stolen from TJ Maxx over the last 2 years or the millions of military members that were potentially exposed when a laptop was stolen from a Veteran's Administration employee last year.

Your information, my information, EVERYONE's information is housed in many, many databases and all of it is open to theft, it's a fact of life in this age of technology, and it's only going to get moreso. If you've placed fraud alerts on your credit reports, if you've filed the necessary ID theft paperwork with the authorities, creditors, and the credit bureaus, that's about all you can do - unfortunately.