LimaOhio.com reports:
The office of clinical psychologist Dr. Carol L. Patrick is alerting clients of the possibility of identity theft as a result of an Aug. 8 robbery.
All working computers in the office were stolen, with the possible intention of gaining personal information of clients.
According to the office, all client information regarding names, addresses, dates of birth and Social Security numbers have been encrypted on the computers. However, some information, such as letters, reports, evaluations and session notes, were not encrypted and could possibly be read by unauthorized individuals.
The office alerted clients not to discuss mental health information of them or any family member with anyone unless they are sure the person is entitled to receive the information. The Federal Trade Commission has a website with information and recommendations on fighting identity theft at www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft.
Anyone with questions can contact the office at 419-222-5077.
It’s not obvious to me why they would think the “possible intention” was to gain information of clients. If anything, this type of burglary seems more like one where the hardware was the target.
It also reminds me why I used whole-drive encryption. Unless everything is automatically encrypted, it’s too easy to wind up with reports or files sent electronically outside encrypted folders.