Patient Health Care Data at Risk
by Greg Masters
A new report on the security of the personal information of health care patients was just released and it indicates that steps need to be taken and rules enforced.
Among the findings of the 2008 HIMSS Analytics Report: Security of Patient Data, commissioned by Kroll Fraud Solutions, is that patient data collected and stored in hospitals and health care facilities is a prime target for malicious data hunters.
The patient records in these facilities include the golden combination that data fraudsters require -- names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth. Records also contain mailing address, insurance policy information, medical history and sometimes credit card and financial information used to expedite billing and payment – “more data in one record than those of any other source such as banks, schools or HR departments.”
...in the period from 2006-2007, more than 1.5 million names were exposed during data breaches that occurred in hospitals alone...
..Only 56 percent of respondents who experienced a security breach notified the patients involved,.. (Full text at www.SCmagazineus.com)
Kroll Fraud Solutions who commissioned the report, is the largest Risk Consulting firm in the world. They are also the company that provides the Identity Theft Shield service which I offer to protect individuals like you and me. I personally would not be without it.
The identity information compromised from hospitals can not only be used for financial identity theft but also Medical Identity Theft. This is where someone uses your health care information to obtain treatment in your name.
To learn more about Identity Theft and what to do if you are a victim, visit www.StopIdTheftCrime.com and subscribe to the newsletter to obtain your free 46 page eBook "Fighting Back Against Identity Theft".
Remember, estimates are that every 2-4 seconds an Identity is compromised. Why take chances? Why not protect yourself and your loved ones with the best suite of services provided by the best NYSE company in the field? Educate yourself and visit the shameless plug below or call me at (909) 208-3728!
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