Breach, Data Security

Drives containing info on 2,500 stolen from Michigan health department

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is notifying more than 2,500 individuals that their personal information – including Social Security numbers – may have been compromised after an encrypted laptop and an unencrypted flash drive were stolen from the office a State Long Term Care (LTC) employee.

How many victims? 2,595. 

What type of personal information? Names, addresses, and dates of birth. Social Security numbers or Medicaid identification numbers were included for 1,539 individuals.

What happened? An encrypted laptop and an unencrypted flash drive containing the personal information were stolen from the office of an LTC employee.

What was the response? The theft has been reported to law enforcement. All those who were impacted are being notified, and individuals whose Social Security numbers or Medicaid numbers were compromised are being offered free credit monitoring services. LTC and MDCH are improving data security practices and conducting additional training.

Details: The devices were stolen on the evening of Jan. 30 or the morning of Jan. 31. MDCH learned of the theft on Feb. 3.

Quote: “We are working swiftly to notify any individuals who may have been impacted and with staff to tighten our security procedures going forward,” Nick Lyon, MDCH chief deputy director, said. 

Source: michigan.gov, “MDCH Notifying Individuals Regarding Protected Health Information Breach,” April 3, 2014.

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