WASHINGTON D.C COMPUTER STOLEN http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Stolen-Laptop-Howard-University-Hospital-Patients-Records-at-Risk-144635745.html

Howard University Hospital Patients' Records at Risk After Laptop Stolen

Stolen laptop with data from Howard University Hospital patients

Wednesday, Mar 28, 2012  |  Updated 3:04 PM EDT

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AP

A heads up if you have personal information on file with Howard University Hospital.

The facility sent letters to more than 34,000 patients about a laptop stolen in January.

The personal computer belonged to a former contractor. It contained medical information and Social Security numbers on it from the patients.

Howard University Hospital said, as of now, there is no evidence that the information was used illegally.

Howard University Hospital said the contractor violated hospital and federal rules by downloading the data onto the personal computer. It said new procedures are now in place to prevent this from happening again.

For those patients who had their Social Security numbers compromised, the hospital plans to offer free identity theft alert service for one year.

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