[Dataloss] Washington - Madrona patients may face ID theft

[lyger]

Courtesy pogowasright.org

http://news.bellinghamherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060811/NEWS09/608110341

Madrona Medical Group is asking thousands of patients to watch their 
credit reports after a former employee was charged with illegally 
downloading patient files onto his personal laptop computer.

Madrona officials don't believe the files were copied or used for identity 
theft, but they sent letters this week to more than 6,000 patients anyway, 
asking them to take steps to make sure no one uses the information 
illegally.

The records include patients' names, addresses, Social Security numbers 
and dates of birth.

"There is no evidence that this individual actually transferred 
information to any other source," said Dr. Erick Laine, CEO of Madrona 
Medical Group, a large multispecialty practice in Bellingham. But Madrona 
officials are required by law to let patients know of the security breach, 
he said.

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