Posts Tagged ‘data security’
3 Must Asked Question to Ensure the Privacy of your Health Records
It’s traumatic when you or a loved one is admitted to a hospital. There’s so much to worry about. However, the protection of your private health care information should not be one of them. Although there has been a rash of celebrity information being compromised during recent admissions to a hospital, you don’t have to have a star status to ensure your health care information is safe.
To make sure your private health information stays that way, here are 3 questions to ask during the admission process:
1. Does your organization do background checks on all employees?
2. Who has access to my information?
3. Where will my records be stored and will they be encrypted?
If the person admitting you (or the pre – admission process) can’t answer the above questions, ask to speak to a supervisor who has the answers. If he or she doesn’t know, then ask to speak to the Director of Nursing, or Chief Nursing Officer.
While you may feel this over cautious, we are hearing of Identity Theft Rings run from a hospital by an admissions clerk as in this case in Alabama: Leader of Identity Theft Ring Sentenced to prison.
Obviously an admission in an emergency you can’t do this process. This may be a reason to consider having Identity Protection and Recovery. If you want to know more about being proactive instead of reactive connect with me here: http://www.theidentityadvocate.com/identity-theft-protection.php.
Keep your piece of mind.
Protecting Your Medical Information from Identity Theft
Have you thought medical identity theft wouldn’t happen to you? Is your thought “why would anyone want my medical information?” Well, they don’t want your “medical history” — they want your insurance information. They might be out of work, or have a friend who needs assistance, or belong to an identity theft ring, and is in it for the money they can earn by selling your medical identity! Today it is more valuable then just your social security number.
When your medical information is stolen and used by someone to seek treatment, your own medical history will change. You may receive bills from doctors you have never seen or even heard of. You may discover they have a different blood type, or have cancer. Then to remove the mis-information and change your information back to who ‘you really are’ becomes an arduous task in itself. Also, you might find yourself responsible for bills that are not yours, and this affects your credit rating when it goes to collections!
Be proactive, protect your medical identity by asking your physician the following questions:
Does s/he do a complete background check on his employees?
Does s/he encrypt the records in his office?
If you should change physicians, what happens to those records? Does s/he outsource billing and receivables and if so, are they cleared as well. You want to know who is in his office and if there are prying eyes or someone who can walk off with all your information on a device such as a laptop or flash drive with all your electronic health information?
Read this article from Fox Business News and see why your medical information and insurance are a valued resource in the the black market; and why it is so difficult to keep your information PRIVATE: http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/willis-report/blog/2013/05/21/protect-yourself-against-medical-identity-theft..
And then call me or email me for solutions available to protect and recover your identity in the event that your identity is compromised or stolen
310-831-4400
Key Elements of HIPAA Compliance by TechTarget
Always a good reminder as things continue to evolve in the healthcare world. Very good article by Richard E. Mackey, Jr., Contributor. As compliance becomes key, always continue learning.
Keeping Your Eye on Facebook and Their App’s
Fearing how Facebook can loose/abuse/post your personal information! Check out this Wall Street Journal. Remember, protect yourself always…To start with, birthdays are great to celebrate, but no one needs to know the year!
Source: online.wsj.com via Linda on Pinterest
More concerns, contact me!
International Internet Scam Hotspots
Check out how and wherefores of an International Scams online ~ 
From: Background Check Guide
Smart Phone, Geo-Tagging & Keeping Your Children Safe
Remember how much data can be found from postings made to Facebook and other picture site. The bad guys can find your home, see where your children hang out, and pose a threat you didn’t even know existed. Watch this video clip from ABC News:
Remember to adjust your phones features! Watch your privacy settings! Turn off functions like GPS, unless you are using your map or other features, at the time.
Medical Identity Theft: Will you be the next victim?
Preventing Medical ID Theft: Are You At Risk ?
Preventing medical ID theft has become a hot topic as Americans increasingly hear about the safety of their private medical records as more medical breeches continue to be discovered. Medical ID theft happens when a person uses someone’s identity to obtain medical services or steal money by falsifying claims for medical services. Identity thieves use a person’s Social Security number, insurance information, or other forms of identification to commit the medical ID theft.
Medical ID theft can have a devastating effect on victims, causing collections issues, credit problems, and even bankruptcy. But that’s not all. The type of medical treatment obtained by the identity thief can also prevent the victim from getting medical insurance or medical services themselves because, as far as the insurance company is concerned, the victim now has a “pre-existing” condition.
According to the FTC, medical ID theft accounts for three percent of all ID theft cases, or approximately 250,000 cases per year. Unfortunately, these medical ID theft statistics are expected to grow, especially with the shift to electronic medical records.
Preventing Medical ID Theft: The Unemployed and Uninsured
Due to their difficult circumstances, some groups are at a higher risk for becoming identity thieves. The unemployed and uninsured may use another person’s identity because of a belief that it’s the only way they can receive quality medical care. Since they’re unemployed, they don’t have access to an employer’s healthcare benefits, and they can’t afford to buy medical insurance because they don’t have a job. It’s a vicious cycle, and it can make good people do bad things.
Preventing Medical ID Theft: Illegal Immigration
Illegal immigration also poses a serious threat as medical ID theft continues to rise. When an illegal immigrant steals private information such as an individual’s Social Security number, he or she can obtain identification and numerous services reserved for legal residents. If precautions aren’t taken to prevent medical ID theft, an illegal immigrant can get a passport, driver’s license, bank account, credit card, loan, mortgage, insurance, medical treatment, and many other services.
Preventing Medical ID Theft in Five Steps
Begin preventing medical ID theft by following these five easy steps:
1. Have your Social Security number removed from your insurance records. If your Social Security number is currently on your insurance card, don’t carry your card with you. Keep it in a safe place and only carry a photocopy with all but the last four digits of your Social Security number blacked out.
2. Obtain copies of your credit reports, insurance claims, and medical records. Lock them in a safe or safety deposit box, or place them on a CD or flash drive.
3. Next, regularly review your credit reports, insurance claims, and medical records for suspicious entries, such as a medical treatment that was never performed on you.
4. Immediately address disputes on your explanation of benefits, bills for medical services you never received, or any other charges that could be sent to collections and damage your credit. These need to be investigated and removed from your records.
5. Don’t leave a paper trail. Destroying sensitive information you no longer need is another critical step in preventing medical ID theft, so shred claims that are more than seven years old. Also, ask if your provider’s office performs background checks employees to prevent medical ID theft rings and stolen medical information.
Preventing medical ID theft takes vigilance. Medical ID thieves are doing everything to stay one step ahead of you and the authorities, so use medical ID theft prevention strategies to protect your private information.
Want to learn more about preventing medical ID theft? Contact The Identity Advocate at 310.831.4400 or via email at info@theidentityadvocate.com.
Visit us online at www.theidentityadvocate.com.
Electronic PickPocket Safeguards
Having heard more about the Electronic Pick Pockets in crowded areas, you must be wary and protect your personal or business credit cards and passport. Check out this Google site to find the best protective sleeve or coverings for your needs: http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&q=rfid+protective+sleeve&aq=2&aqi=g4g-o1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=1&cad=b
Electronic Pickpockets: Loosing your credit card information and even your identity
Check out this channel 3 broadcast on electronic pickpocketing. Not only your credit card information but even your passport:
