Mark's Notebook

Patients warned of security breach

S.J. Medical Group notifies 185,000 after computer theft

By Julie Sevrens Lyons, Mercury News

In one of the largest cases of stolen medical and financial information nationwide, San Jose Medical Group is alerting 185,000 current and former patients that their sensitive personal data may have been on computers taken during a recent break-in.

In a first-class letter to patients dated Monday, CEO Ernie Wallerstein said two computers were taken March 28 from the physician group's administrative offices. The computers, he wrote, ``contained names, addresses, confidential medical information and Social Security numbers, perhaps including yours.''

Patients were encouraged to alert a credit bureau that their personal data could be used for fraudulent reasons. And they were warned to look over their credit reports carefully to see if new credit cards are opened in their name.

It was unclear whether the billing records contained credit card numbers. Patients might want to close their credit card accounts and open up new accounts with different numbers, just to be safe, said Stephen Gibbons, a Santa Clara County assistant district attorney.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/the_vall
ey/11342759.htm

Mark says: We got our letters yesterday. Sigh.

Articles

Last updated Tuesday 13 May 2008