Identity theft ring cited in AltaMed breach

Los Angeles-based AltaMed Health Services has notified nearly 3,000 patients that their personal data are at risk after learning of a former AltaMed employee’s involvement in an identity theft ring.

Local law enforcement informed the organization that the former AltaMed temporary employee, and other unaffiliated individuals, are suspected of engaging in identity theft on June 30, according to a notice on the organization’s web site.

To date, no arrests have been made. Local law enforcement officials disclosed that it recovered a hard drive and other evidence during its investigation so far, and that the data on the hard drive likely were misused by the members of the identity theft ring. Data on the device include name, email address, telephone number, Social Security number, provider information, insurance information, date of birth and address. AltaMed has consulted security legal counsel to assist with the investigation.

“The organization takes the security of personal and protected health information very seriously and is undertaking efforts to mitigate the risk of this happening again,” according to the notice.