Health Information Management

3,000 cancer subjects at risk of identity theft

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, April 23, 2007

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

About 3,000 cancer study subjects and potential study subjects are at risk of identity theft after thieves stole a file server from a locked office at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), the school announced. The file server contained subjects' names, contact information, and Social Security numbers.

"There is no specific evidence that data on the server was accessed or is being used by any unauthorized person," the University said on its Web site. UCSF is notifying victims as a precaution. Although the school believes that approximately 3,000 are affected, the complexity of the file formats and layout on the server mean that the number may rise.

The UCSF Police Department is currently conducting a full investigation of the March 30 theft in collaboration with the San Francisco Police Department.

Click here for more information.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

  • Briefings on APCs

    Worried about the complexities of the new rules under OPPS and APCs? Briefings on APCs helps you understand the new rules...

  • Medical Records Briefing

    Guiding Health Information Management professionals through the continuously changing field of medical records and toward a...

  • Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies

    Submitting improper Medicare documentaion can lead to denial of fees, payback, fines, and increased diligence from payers...

  • Briefings on HIPAA

    How can you minimize the impact of HIPAA? Subscribe to Briefings on HIPAA, your health information management resource for...

  • APCs Weekly Monitor

    This HTML-based e-mail newsletter provides weekly tips and advice on the new ambulatory payment classifications regulations...

Most Popular

Related Articles