UF alerts parents of some pediatric patients about possible identity theft

UF alerts parents of some pediatric patients about possible identity theft

The University of Florida sent letters early this week to 5,682 pediatric patients or their parents telling them that they may be victims of identity theft.

A former employee at the UF Pediatric Primary Care Clinic at Tower Square, now known as UF Health Pediatrics-Tower Square, may have ties to an identity theft ring, according to a UF news release Wednesday.

The employee, who was not identified, may have compromised patient information including names, addresses, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, according to UF.

UF is offering fraud resolution services for patients who suspect identity theft associated with the incident.

The incident marks the second time in two months that UF has sent letters to patients of its medical clinics telling them that they may be victims of identify theft due to former employees at the clinics who are under investigation for their involvement in an identity theft ring.

In early April, UF sent letters to 14,339 patients of the UF&Shands Family Medicine at Main practice, where former employee Arthur Corey Thomas, 25, of Gainesville, is accused of compromising patient information. Thomas faces a charge of identity theft of more than 20 persons or $50,000. He has pleaded not guilty.

According to UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes, the two incidents are connected.

They both are part of “an ongoing investigation. It’s all related,” Sikes said, adding that the two employees might be part of the same identity theft ring.

The episodes mark the first time the university has been a victim of criminal activity involving identity theft, Sikes said.

Susan Blair, chief privacy officer for UF, said in the news release: “We deeply regret what happened and share the frustration associated with this situation. Protecting patient information is a top priority for us, and we are committed to finding new ways to identify and help prevent employee misconduct.”

The Office of the State Attorney, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Secret Service are investigating the statewide identity theft ring. State and federal law enforcement officials informed the university of the pediatrics clinic employee on April 11.

UF subsequently conducted its own investigation, which revealed that some patient records were inappropriately accessed. Because the employee’s job involved accessing records, it was not possible to determine if the information was misused, the news release said.

“We wanted people to be aware of the situation so that they will have the opportunity to take additional precautions,” Blair said.

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