Medical Records Found in Dumpster
June 2, 2004 NAID Newsletter.

BJC Healthcare says it’s correcting problems that put extremely sensitive patient records in a downtown dumpster. The records were discovered by two St. Louis men who were walking by the open dumpster and noticed the exposed medical records blowing in the breeze. Among the records were histories of STD, chemical addictions and psychological disorders. A St. Louis woman is outraged after News 4 told her that her medical records were found in the dumpster. “I’ve worked with a psychiatrist there, I’ve had therapy there and it’s like now people are going to know why I went there and what was wrong with me,” said the woman contacted by News 4 who wanted to remain anonymous. BJC issued a statement saying, “The problem was related to both human error and administrative oversight. Steps were put in place to ensure that the situation does no recur. Patient records should be completely secured at all times, and we consider this a serious error.”

Arizona consumers will be among the first in the country to get free, annual access to their credit reports when a new federal law takes effect this year. This and other key changes to consumer rights and protections against identify theft are scheduled to be in place December 1st. These include:

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, of 2003, signed into law in December, is taking shape as regulators study proposed rules. Consumers are being encouraged to get involved to ensure the act is implemented fairly. The act is designed to protect consumers against identity theft while improving the quality of credit information and ensuring fair treatment for those applying for mortgages and credit. The proposed rules governing the secure disposal of individual records are open for public comment until June 15th. The act requires that companies dispose of sensitive records that identify an individual in a way that minimizes the possibilities for unauthorized access. Such sensitive records include background checks done before hiring employees and credit history information, as well as public records, said Ellen Finn, staff attorney with the Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection. Businesses will have until 2006 to meet a provision that safeguards their customers’ credit card account information and history.

Cops bust ID thief at hotel here in Tucson
By L. Anne Newll - January 6, 2004 Arizona Daily Star.

Tucson Police apprehended a man, Stephan C. Massey, and two of his accomplices on New Years Eve who were operating a Identity Theft Ring out of a room in the Best Value Inn. During their search, much to the officers amusement, they found a 4,600 word story from the New York Times detailing how Massey had set up an identity theft ring that bilked up to 800 victims of some $400,000, then violated his prison release by fleeing out of Eugene, Oregon while under investigation. Eugene Police Detective, Steve Williams, knew it was just a matter of time before Massey was picked up. "This is the way he makes his money. He knows how to find the people and get the money." It was William's investigation that led to Massey's previous conviction where he served 41 months in federal prison. Williams said his agency documented more than $150,000 in losses with nearly 100 credit cards Massey and his accomplices obtained fraudulently. "It could have been three to four times that, too," he said.

Arizona had the third highest rate of ID theft in the nation in 2002. Experts say the trade here is fueled largely by criminals with drug addictions. "We've been in the top five or ten in the nation in these categories for a couple of years now," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Drake. "We have lots of people who like to use methamphetamine and they like to pay for their drug habit." "Better public education is helping stem the problem," said Drakes.

Massey and his accomplices are facing charges of forgery, criminal possession of a forgery device and fraudulent schemes and artifices. Tucson Police Detective Steven Lake, of the fraud unit, said he has found no local victims, though checks were cashed at area businesses and he suspects there are many victims.