It is happening again, a large corporation has the potential loss of data due to a security breech. this means medical records, social security numbers even credit card information may have been exposed. The threat of Medical Identity Theft is even greater in a a case like this. Read California Health Line article at: http://www.californiahealthline.org/articles/2010/6/30/wellpoint-breach-could-have-exposed-enrollees-medical-financial-data.aspx

Here we go again. The Federal Trade Commission on May 28 announced it would delay enforcement of the Red Flags Rule from June 1 to Dec. 31, 2010. Is this the result of all the doctors protesting the changes required by their offices or is it just the unnecessary inconvenience. If you have ever had your identity stolen or your medical identity compromised it is a detriment for you financially and your for health records and various treatments, due to HIPAA. Read the HealthData Management article at: http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/ftc-red-flags-rule-enforcement-delay-40345-1.html?ET=healthdatamanagement:e1288:44339a:&st=email&utm_source=editorial&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HDM_Alert_052810.

Now the scary part is the number of breeches of unsecured protected health information that have occurred. See the list of hospitals and practices at: http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/issues/18_5/list-of-breaches-40158-1.html

More worries about the security of patient information and private medical data with the onset of Electronic Healthcare Records. Read the article available at:
http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/survey-personal-health-information-less-secure-2010

Watch YouTube and see how devastating Medical IdentityTheft can be to you, your records and your family:

Remember the census takers are not coming to your home until after May 1 until July. If you do not fill out the 2010 Census form sent to you, or do not answer all the questions they will be visiting you in person. The form sent should include a postage paid return envelope.
If they are on your door step now, it is a probable scam.

This information directly from the government web site: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/index.php

Do I have to talk to the census taker?

Yes. Your participation in the 2010 Census is vital and required by law, (Section 221, of Title 13 of the U.S. Code). However, rather than rely on criminal charges, the Census Bureau is very successful in getting participation by explaining the importance of the questions we ask and how the information benefits our communities.

Your privacy and confidentiality is the priority:

The census taker who collects your information is sworn for life to protect your data under Federal Law Title 13. Those who violate the oath face criminal penalties: Under federal law, the penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.

Read more since the last blog post on 2.22.2010 now from the National Emergency Cyber Alerts for more awareness about the 2010 Census Scam issues:
http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=489&z=43

As the 2010 census process begins, the Census Bureau is canvassing the country and administering surveys by phone, mail, and personal interviews. Census Bureau employees are gathering important census information from citizens. At the same time, identity thieves posing as Census Bureau workers are conducting numerous census scams. Since all U.S. citizens are required to participate in the census, it’s easier than ever for identity thieves to take advantage of unsuspecting people with census scams.

The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist?

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.
** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. There are only ten questions on the 2010 census (http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/interactive-form.php), making it one of the shortest census questionnaires in history. Census workers will only ask you for basic information such as name, gender, age, and race. This information is used to determine how to distribute approximately $400 billion to communities for schools, healthcare, and other services. The census data is also used to determine Congressional seats and redraw local political district lines.
***Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census takers. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau. Report the scam by forwarding the email to the Census Bureau at ITSO.Fraud.Reporting@census.gov.

Be vigilant. Protect your information. Learn more about preventing census scams from the identity theft expert, Linda Vincent, RN. PI.

How many people accept invitations to be friends on social networks and haven’t a clue who that person is? Well, read this article and be mindful of the information you share!
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/12/08/over-40-percent-of-facebook-users-invite-identity-theft-by-blind/

Great article on protecting yourself from identity theft during job searches. It is so easy when times are tough to lose your identity to the unscrupulous bad guys. See web site: http://www.cio.com/article/507667/Job_Search_Scams_6_Ways_to_Protect_Yourself_Against_Identity_Theft_?page=2&taxonomyId=1419