Politics & Government

Personal Patient Info Was Stolen from LA County Health Services and Public Health

Beginning Friday, anyone who wants to know if their personal information was compromised can call (877) 868-9284.

The personal information of about 168,500 patients of the Los Angeles County departments of Health Services and Public Health was stolen during the theft of computer equipment from a firm that contracts with the county, authorities announced today.

The theft took place Feb. 5 at the Torrance office of Sutherland Healthcare Solutions, Inc., which contracts with both departments, according to the county Department of Auditor-Controller.

"Sutherland immediately notified law enforcement and subsequently notified the County," according to a department statement.

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The company then "began the process to identify the type of information or data" stolen and on Feb. 25 confirmed to the county "that the personal information of some DHS and DPH patients was stolen from their office, and their most recent analysis identified approximately 168,500 County patients who may be impacted," according to the department.

The stolen data includes names, Social Security numbers, medical and billing information and possibly dates of birth, addresses and diagnoses, officials said.

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Sutherland began notifying individual patients by mail today that their information has been compromised and is offering them free credit monitoring and advice on how to protect themselves from potential identity fraud, according to the auditor-controller's office.

"In response to the incident, the County is working with Sutherland to review Sutherland's information privacy and security program," according to the department statement. "In conjunction with the Countywide Information Security Program, the District Attorney's Cyber Investigation Response Team is working with the Torrance Police Department and other law enforcement agencies on this criminal investigation."

Beginning Friday, anyone who wants to know if their personal information was compromised can call Sutherland toll free at (877) 868-9284.

—City News Service



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