back to list

Thieves Steal Identification From Hospital Bracelets - 2005-03-09

Some Maryland Hospitals Still Using Social Security Numbers

POSTED: 4:42 pm EST March 8, 2005 UPDATED: 5:12 pm EST March 8, 2005

BALTIMORE -- Identity theft isn't limited to the World Wide Web -- hospital patients could be the newest victims of this growing crime.

While identity theft is nothing new, thieves are finding new ways of getting private information. Thieves are finding new methods, with Social Security numbers displayed on ID bracelets and medical charts, hospitals have become a breeding ground for ID theft.

Are You Afraid?

Do You Take Precautions?

Protect Yourself

How ID Theft Works

FTC: All About Identity Theft

According to the latest data from the Federal Trade Commission, the number of reported ID theft cases overall grew from 40,000 to 300,000 in just three years -- a 650 percent increase.

Some hospitals are taking action to protect themselves, and their patients.

"We created an audit trail in the computer system so we can always see who has accessed patient-identified information," said Steven Singer, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

New government guidelines call for better security, but many hospitals still use Social Security numbers for patient identification.

So, until hospital security is increased everywhere, experts said patients should conceal their ID bracelets and check their credit reports when they get home.

How Do Maryland Hospitals Identify Patients?

Most hospitals in the Baltimore-area do not use Social Security numbers on patient bracelets, WBAL-TV 11 News reported.

The hospitals that do not use Social Security numbers for identification purposes include, but are not limited to, the University of Maryland Medical Center, the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, Sinai Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital, 11 News reported. Those hospitals use a different system of identifying patients -- not Social Security numbers.

Good Samaritan Hospital told 11 News it does currently use Social Security numbers, but officials are looking into other options that would better protect patients.

Franklin Square Hospital did not return calls from 11 News for comment.