A former receptionist at the Illinois Eye Center may have used patient records to identify victims potential for identity theft according to a letter sent to the patients concerned.
It is believed that the former employee accessed patient files, including names, social security numbers, and birthdays. Women between the ages of 18 and 25 appear to have been taken for particular target.
The Department of Peoria County Sheriff received seven or eight of identity theft crimes reports associated with the flight because they were made aware of the incident in January 2008. In each case, there was an attempt to access the credit file of victims. At least one such attempt was successful.
The suspect in the theft of data and subsequent identity theft attempts has been employed by the Illinois Eye Center for a five-month period ending in November 2007. She has not been charged as yet off, but the sheriff's Department hopes to make an arrest in the near future.
All patients in the current or former Illinois eye center should keep an eye on their credit report and financial accounts to ensure that no suspicious activity. If you want to know more about the companies that can help you protect your identity, visit our protection service comparison against identity theft.