[Dataloss] Are Clinic Visits On Credit Reports?

[lyger]

(from a data loss standpoint, maybe this falls more under 
"possibility of unknown or unwilling exposure" and not loss or theft. 
comments encouraged. - lyger)

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2006/05/are_clinic_visi.html

Posted: Tuesday, May 9 at 03:00 am CT by Bob Sullivan

Mike Herwig looked at his credit report recently and saw something even 
more disturbing than past due accounts.

He saw the words "Starlite Recovery Center."

As the name hints, Starlite is a drug and alcohol treatment clinic in 
Texas. Herwig, a 36-year-old Boston resident, received treatment for 
alcoholism there two years ago and wanted that to remain secret. But now 
he fears he's been outed as a recovering addict in front of future 
employers, landlords, insurance companies and any other organization that 
pulls his credit report.

Experian, which issued the credit report, says Herwig's fears are 
unfounded. Starlite's name is omitted from copies of the report given to 
others and appears only on Herwig's personal report, according to 
Experian.s Don Girard. In fact, federal law prohibits credit bureaus from 
listing the name of any medical treatment facility on a credit report 
furnished to lenders or employers, he said.

Still, Herwig's story is instructive about the alarming things that can 
appear on credit reports, and the kind of rights consumers have.

[...]