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The mental health authority for Bexar County said a former employee stole a bevy of sensitive data more than a year ago, including the “names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, medical records numbers, dates of services, referral information, progress notes, types of services, diagnoses, medications, lab and toxicology reports, autopsy reports, death certificates, treatment plans, discharge and death summaries and collateral hospital information.” less
Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News
Click through the slideshow to learn ten ways to avoid fraud.
Click through the slideshow to learn ten ways to avoid fraud.
Resolution #1
Don’t be pushed into action –
Just because someone looks or sounds official doesn’t mean they are. Criminals hope we will be frightened into letting down our guard, and that tactic often works. If you receive an unsolicited call or email that threatens legal action, ignore it. The top scam of 2015 was the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) impostor ruse. The IRS and utilities, for example, will never call to demand payment or personal information by telephone or email. The agencies will contact you by mail, and will never threaten to have you arrested or attempt to shake you down for an immediate payment. less
Resolution #1 Don’t be pushed into action –
Just because someone looks or sounds official doesn’t mean they are. Criminals hope we will be frightened into letting down our guard, and that tactic … more
Resolution #2
Don’t be greedy –
Many swindles are designed to appeal to our desire to get something for free. These include phony sweepstakes, prizes, gifts and “inheritances.” These dupes commonly involve paying in advance to collect the money. This sort of activity also applies to websites with unrealistically low prices for top-shelf merchandise. less
Resolution #2 Don’t be greedy –
Many swindles are designed to appeal to our desire to get something for free. These include phony sweepstakes, prizes, gifts and “inheritances.” These dupes … more
Resolution #3
Take control of your telephone –
A significant portion of criminal consumer activity involves telephone calls. Unfortunately, caller ID can no longer be considered reliable, so unless you recognize the telephone number, the best tactic is to let the call go to voice mail. In some cases, the caller may even have the last four digits of your Social Security Number or some other piece of personal data. That information does not mean the caller is legitimate. less
Resolution #3 Take control of your telephone –
A significant portion of criminal consumer activity involves telephone calls. Unfortunately, caller ID can no longer be considered reliable, so unless you … more
Resolution # 4
Be proactive rather than reactive –
Instead of responding to a charitable appeal over the telephone or at the front door, find a charity of your choice and make a donation through its website or by telephone, but only after verifying its contact information. Beware of charities whose names are similar to established organizations, but with a slight variation in spelling. Before making a donation, visit BBB’s charity arm, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. less
Resolution # 4 Be proactive rather than reactive –
Instead of responding to a charitable appeal over the telephone or at the front door, find a charity of your choice and make a donation through its … more
Resolution #5
Don’t do business at your front door –
Whether the visitor is selling siding, magazines, yard services, home security, contracting work or any other product or service, ask to see identification and any printed material they can provide. Watch out for signs of high-pressure sales tactics. These include a “One time only” discount or anything else that encourages you to sign a contract or give out payment information on the spot. Don’t allow door-to-door salespeople into your home. Aside from personal risks, the individual might be trying to case your home for a future robbery. less
Resolution #5 Don’t do business at your front door –
Whether the visitor is selling siding, magazines, yard services, home security, contracting work or any other product or service, ask to see … more
Photo: Carlos Antonio Rios, Houston Chronicle
Resolution #6
Check with BBB –
Start with trust at your Better Business Bureau when you are looking for a goods or services provider. BBB Business Reviews will tell you about other consumers’ experiences with a given business, whether it has a solid marketplace record and the numbers and sorts of complaints submitted by consumers. You also may choose a provider from our Accredited Business Directory. Our website also has all of the tips and information you need to make educated decisions.
Nathan Lindstrom/Special to the Chronicle
©2012 Nathan Lindstrom less
Resolution #6 Check with BBB –
Start with trust at your Better Business Bureau when you are looking for a goods or services provider. BBB Business Reviews will tell you about other consumers’ … more
Photo: Nathan Lindstrom, Lindstrom Photography LLC
Resolution #7
Visit BBB Scam Tracker –
You will find Scam Tracker in the “Get Consumer Help” section at www.bbb.org/connecticut. Its interactive map will show you what sort of schemes are being reported across the country and in your neighborhood. You can add to the Scam Tracker database by clicking the “Report a scam” button. No personal information is required.
Nathan Lindstrom/Special to the Chronicle
©2012 Nathan Lindstrom less
Resolution #7 Visit BBB Scam Tracker –
You will find Scam Tracker in the “Get Consumer Help” section at www.bbb.org/connecticut. Its interactive map will show you what sort of schemes are being … more
Photo: Nathan Lindstrom, Lindstrom Photography LLC
Resolution # 8
Read the fine print –
Whether you are signing-up for an introductory discount offer or hiring a professional, familiarize yourself with all terms and conditions. Those disclosures offer important information on the length of an offer, how to opt-out of having your information shared with third parties and how much you can expect to pay for services when the discounted period is over. less
Resolution # 8 Read the fine print –
Whether you are signing-up for an introductory discount offer or hiring a professional, familiarize yourself with all terms and conditions. Those disclosures offer … more
Resolution #9
If you don’t know the sender, delete the email –
That includes email with authentic-looking logos, attachments and links, any one of which can install dangerous software on your computer without you knowing. less
Resolution #9 If you don’t know the sender, delete the email –
That includes email with authentic-looking logos, attachments and links, any one of which can install dangerous software on your computer … more
Photo: Getty Images/Christopher Kimmel
Resolution # 10
Secure your computer –
That means applying software updates, most of which are used to close security loopholes. In addition, create strong passwords that contain at least one upper case letter, a number and a symbol. Most important, it is best not to use the same password for multiple sites. less
Resolution # 10 Secure your computer –
That means applying software updates, most of which are used to close security loopholes. In addition, create strong passwords that contain at least one upper case … more
The Center for Health Care Services in San Antonio is notifying 28,434 local patients whose social security numbers, mental health and other sensitive records were stolen when a former employee allegedly took the data on his personal laptop after he was fired, the company said in a news release.
The mental health authority for Bexar County said the former employee stole a bevy of sensitive data more than a year ago, including the “names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, medical records numbers, dates of services, referral information, progress notes, types of services, diagnoses, medications, lab and toxicology reports, autopsy reports, death certificates, treatment plans, discharge and death summaries and collateral hospital information.”
Although the former employee was fired on May 31, 2016, the Center said it didn’t discover the breach until Nov. 7, “as a result of documents produced in litigation between the former employee and CHCS,” according to the release on Friday. The nature of the litigation between the center and the employee is unclear, and the center declined to elaborate.
The center said “it is believed” the former employee and his attorneys, as well as attorneys for the center, have the personal health information, according to the release.
“There is no evidence to indicate that the information has been distributed outside of this group,” according to the release. “Attorneys for CHCS are seeking a protective order to prevent further disclosure of the information, and to verify deletion of the information as soon as the court permits.”
The center said it is taking steps to improve security, and is working with law enforcement and security experts to notify impacted patients.
“CHCS does not currently believe there are any steps individuals need to take to protect themselves from potential harm resulting from the breach, but will provide further notification if the circumstances change materially,” the center said in the release.
Impacted patients are a mix of adults and children, said Marshall Millard, general counsel for the center. The center offers services around mental health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to its website. It also provides substance abuse treatment, according to the website.
The center is “very confident” in the information it has received so far about the incident, Millard said.
“So we wanted to be honest. Even if it sounds cavalier — it’s not — that we don’t think there’s actions that consumers need to take because we don’t think it’s out there,” Millard said. “Certainly if we find out differently that will cause us to react differently.”
News researcher Misty Harris contributed to this report.
sehlinger@express-news.net | Twitter: @samehlinger
Article source: http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/local/article/Former-employee-reportedly-steals-mental-health-12405111.php