Identity theft is something we’re all familiar with by now – some of us have become painfully familiar with the ensuing aggravation, paranoia and financial damage. But there’s a new and growing subset of identity theft whose ramifications can deadly.

Medical identity theft is a crime wherein your medical or insurance information is used to obtain medical care or to falsely file for payment of medical care. Perhaps it’s best illustrated by example: (more…)

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

It could happen to anyone. You engage in a little gossip or self-disclosure, sharing a juicy tidbit with a friend. Your friend assures you it’ll go no further. And then the information is shared one more time, again, with the warning that this juicy story cannot be retold. Eventually, the story will get back to the subject of the gossip, or worse, end up on the Internet.

It was pretty much the same scenario with a recent data breach that originated at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. (more…)

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Every day there’s another news story about identity theft or data breaches. It’s enough to make you sick. But, sometimes it’s the other way around – people get sick, and then learn all about data breaches and identity theft…first hand.

Medical data breaches affecting celebrities Britney Spears, Farrah Fawcett and California first lady Marie Shriver were splashed all over the tabloids earlier this year. When the news focuses on famous individuals, the incidents seem singular, rare occurrences, but you may have more in common with the stars than you realize. (more…)

Bookmark It

Hide Sites