North Shore-LIJ notifies 100 patients of identity theft

North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System, a 15-hospital system in New York, has announced there is an ongoing investigation with law enforcement authorities involving the identity theft of approximately 100 patients from North Shore University Hospital, a 804-bed tertiary care facility in Manhasset, N.Y.

The provider has sent letters to all patients who law enforcement authorities have identified as victims. According to authorities, the identity theft ring victimized nearly 1,000 people throughout the Northeast, so its impact extends beyond North Shore University Hospital.

North Shore-LIJ said they "are taking aggressive steps to further safeguard the security protocols currently in place to protect patient information. We’re also working diligently with the New York State Police and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office to bring those responsible to justice. We are limited as to what information we can disclose at this point because we do not want to compromise the integrity of the investigation."

In the patient announcement, the system said that if a person has not received a letter from the hospital or approached by law enforcement authorities, then there is "no reason to believe that you have been affected."