Q: Were records from all Providence patients taken in this theft? A: No. The data only included patients who received services from Providence Home Services in Oregon and parts of Washington. A small number of patients live in other states. Patients who have received care in hospitals and clinics were not affected – unless they received services also from Providence Home Services.
Q. Do you have more information on the theft? A: On Dec. 31, 2005 a Providence employee notified law enforcement that his car had been broken into. Stolen were disks and tapes containing personal data on approximately 365,000 patients who had received care through Providence Home Services. The disks and tapes also included some information about current and past employees of Providence Home Services.
Q. What kind of information was on the tapes and disks? A: The information included details specific to Providence Home Services patients such as name, address, date of birth, physician, insurance, diagnosis, prescription and on rare occasion, lab results. For approximately 250,000 of the patients, Social Security numbers were on the records taken – increasing the possibility of identity theft. The other 115,000 patients did not have their Social Security numbers on the records. A small number of patient records included financial information.
Q: Why was this type of information saved? A: The patients served by Providence Home Services are vulnerable and we always want to make sure we are able to access critical health information in case of an emergency at our primary offices.
Q: How likely is it that the thief is using the data to steal identities? A: The data was technologically protected from the average person, making it difficult but not impossible to access.
Q: What are you doing to make sure this doesn’t happen again? A: We are taking new precautions to guarantee the safety of all confidential information. We are also reviewing all our data security policies and procedures across the entire health system.
Q. What has Providence done to fix the problem for the people who might be affected by the theft? 1. Providence is mailing letters home to the last known address of all affected patients who have received care from Providence Home Services. 2. Letters are being sent to the current and former employees of Home Services whose information was taken. 3. Providence has set up a call center to answer questions from the affected patients and public. Number: 503-215-6629; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. 4. Providence experts are undergoing very careful review of all secured data processes and are taking all necessary steps to avoid having this happen again.
Q: Why can't I e-mail someone at Providence with my questions? A: We want to be sensitive to any security concerns regarding e-mail communication. We also are trying to provide information in the most efficient and informative manner possible, given the large number of patients affected.
Q: What will Providence do if someone’s credit has been damaged by this incident? A: We will take all appropriate steps to help remedy that situation, including assisting individuals in dealing with credit agencies. For more information, call 503-215-6629.
Q: How do I get free copies of my credit reports? A: Go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877–322–8228.
Q: How do I place a fraud alert on my credit file? A: Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus listed below to place a fraud alert on your file. The fraud alert requests that creditors contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. You only need to call one credit bureau (callers are encouraged to contact Experian or Transunion for best service). As soon as it confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified to place fraud alerts.
