[Dataloss] Vision Center records in Illinois possibly used for ID theft

[Henry Brown]

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/040108/TRI_BG7EFKUT.044.php

Illinois Eye Center records accessed
former Illinois Eye Center employee could have used confidential
patient information for identity theft.

According to a letter the eye center sent last week to affected
patients, the records obtained include patient names, Social Security
numbers and birthdates. It is believed females between ages 18 and 25
were targeted.

The Peoria County Sheriff's Department was alerted about the possible
identity theft in January and has received seven or eight reports
total, Lt. Mark Greskoviak said.

In each case, Greskoviak said, there was an attempt to access the
patients' credit information. At least one individual reported
unauthorized access was obtained to his or her credit information.

The female suspect, whose name has not been released, worked as a
receptionist at the center from June to November 2007 and police
believe she now lives outside Illinois.

Although the former employee has not been charged, Greskoviak said the
department hopes to make an arrest in the near future.

Like most cases of identity theft, the confidential information was
not used until long after it was obtained.

Greskoviak recommends that patients closely examine their credit card
bills and run a credit check.