The Department of Aging warns customers their personal information may be in jeopardy. Last week, a laptop computer, flash drive and paper files were stolen out of a locked vehicle used by an employee in Wichita.
The social security numbers of 100 people have been stolen. Those people are part of the Senior Care Act program. The Department of Aging says it's tried to call those 100 people directly on the phone.
7,000 other seniors are at risk. Their social security numbers were not stolen, but other personal information was taken. Those seniors are participants in the Older American Act program including Meals on Wheels. This group will receive a letter from the Department of Aging.
The files, contained personal and protected health information, primarily involved customers located in Sedgwick, Harvey, and Butler counties. The theft was immediately reported to the Wichita Police Department. The Kansas Department on Aging is actively working with the police on the case, but the stolen items have not been recovered. However, at this time there's no evidence to indicate that the information has been accessed and misused.
The stolen data and documents may include full customer names, complete addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, gender, in home services program participation information, Medicaid identification numbers, case management location and case manager names and telephone numbers. No banking, credit card, or driver license information was involved. All involved customers identified will be sent an individual letter explaining the situation and the department has attempted to notify those customers whose social security numbers were compromised by phone.
"We are immediately reviewing policies and procedures relevant to information security, especially for those employees whose duties require travel off-site to prevent a similar situation from recurring," stated Secretary Shawn Sullivan of the Department on Aging.
The Department of Aging recommends customers let their bank and credit card companies know that a state computer, which may contain personal information about them, was stolen. This will allow banks and credit card companies to assist in spotting any suspicious activity which might occur concerning customer accounts.
It's also recommending customers review all of their bills and report anything suspicious to the companies involved. If a customer believes that someone has made use of information without permission, they may contact their local police department. Customers should not give out any personal information to people they don't know, especially those who call them on the telephone, regardless of whom the callers claim to be or what they may claim to already know about a customer.
Other steps can be taken to protect personal information. Customers may order one free copy of their credit report every year from each of the three major credit bureaus listed below. In addition, customers may place a fraud alert on their credit reports to help prevent someone from opening additional accounts in the costumer's name or changing an existing account.
Equifax Experian Trans Union Corp.
PO BOX 740250 PO Box 1017 Fraud Assistance Division
Atlanta, GA 30374 Allen, TX 75013 PO Box 6790
(800) 685-1111 (888) 397-3742 Fullerton, CA 92834
Equifax.com Experian.com (800) 916-8800
TransUnion.com
