Search Privacy Violations, Breaches and Complaints
This database was last updated in December 2015 ago and should only be used as a historical snapshot. More recent data on breaches affecting 500 or more people is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Breach Portal.
VA Southwest Health Care Network (VISN 18)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on September 27, 2012. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000080582, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Phoenix, AZ
Issue:
Yesterday late afternoon, 9/27/2012, Lab Manager reported that her employee found someone else's transcript in her eOPF record. This was initially reported to the Lab supervisor, and then subsequently to the PO and HR with the attachment. The exposed document was a college transcript. It had the individual's first name, last name, SSN, home address, DOB, class names, grades, and school name/location. This also had a VA job # imprinted with a fax number across the top. There was only 1 page. Root cause is under investigation but HR is working on removing this document ASAP. Further notification and investigation, pending. Update: 09/27/12:The person whose SSN was exposed will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
HR Chief and Supervisor provided education to HR staff for QM of HR files. Review of the 2 staff folders identified no further errors. The event occured more than 4 years ago. It could not be determined who made the error due to subsequent rescanning and refiling within these files outside the local facility. Credit monitor offer letter signed by Director and mailed.