Tax Fraud-Fueled Breach Hits 36th Fire Department

Advanced Data Processing Inc. is notifying 860 patients who received medical services from Valparaiso (Ind.) Fire Department of a breach of protected health information that included names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers.


Advanced Data Processing Inc. is notifying 860 patients who received medical services from Valparaiso (Ind.) Fire Department of a breach of protected health information that included names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers.

The breach at Valparaiso is the latest in a string of security incidents affecting at least 36 local Fire/EMS departments across 18 states, according to a list from PHIprivacy.net, which counts more than 13,800 affected individuals from 14 of the breaches.

Advanced Data Processing Inc., which provides billing services for the agencies, became aware of the tax return scheme in October 2012 when police in Tampa, Fla., notified the company of the employee’s actions. But the company was unaware that Valparaiso information was compromised until receiving notification in July 2013 from the Internal Revenue Service. “Although it is not known whether any of such information was actually misused, because this cannot be ruled out, this notice is being provided out of an abundance of caution,” Advanced Data Processing said in an August 27 statement on the Valparaiso breach.

Advanced Data Processing has identified numerous free identity protection support options for individuals affected by the breaches and is offering protection services from ID Experts to those who believe additional security is necessary, according to a spokesperson.

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