ORLANDO, Fla. – Nemours recently began mailing letters to patients after three computer backup tapes containing personal information went missing.
Dr. David Bailey, Nemours Foundation CEO, said the computer tapes were inside a locked cabinet at one of their clinics in Delaware and were misplaced when they were remodeling. He said they haven't been able to find the storage cabinet.
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Bailey said there is no indication that the tapes were stolen or that any of the information on them has been accessed or misused.
He said someone would have to have specialized equipment and specific technical knowledge to access the tapes.
The information on the tapes are from 1994 to 2004 and could affect about 1.6 million patients and employees at Nemours facilities in Florida, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Some patients in Orlando have already received the letter.
Bailey said the missing backup tapes contained information such as name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, insurance information, medical treatment information and billing information.
Bailey said they are notifying individuals who may have been affected and offering them one year of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection.
Nemours began mailing letters on Oct. 7 to all patients who were affected. All letters will be mailed no later than Oct. 26.
If you believe you were affected, and do not receive a letter by October 31, 2011, call 855-755-8483 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time and refer to #6366100711 when prompted.
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