Feb. 2, 2006
PORTLAND, Ore. - Providence Health System executives met with representatives of the Oregon Attorney General’s office today to provide them information regarding the recent data theft of 365,000 Home Services patients. While we cannot comment on our discussion, we can tell you that we appreciate their oversight on behalf of consumers in Oregon and we are responding to their requests.
There is some information we’d like our patients and communities to be aware of:
· Providence is working with an expert organization to offer a package of services for all affected patients. Patients will be notified with additional information.
· Both Providence and the Attorney General’s office have been receiving calls from patients who have received “predator” phone calls. These scam artists are portraying themselves as Providence employees and asking for personal information such as social security numbers and bank accounts so they can “verify” the stolen data. Providence employees are not calling Home Services patients to ask for this information in relation to the stolen data. People receiving phone calls are encouraged to notify their local police department.
· Customer service phone lines continue to answer calls from patients. To date we have talked with approximately 10,000 patients and had about 27,000 Web hits. Patients can continue to call our customer service center at 1-888-284-8997 for more information, or can access our Web site at www.providence.org.
· An additional note for your audiences: People scheduled for services in our hospitals and clinics such as surgery or appointments may receive calls from Providence employees to verify patient information. If patients are uncomfortable with the questions, they are given contact information to call back into Providence or they also are welcome to provide the necessary information upon arrival.
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CONTACT:
Gary Walker
503-215-7567
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