Mediaboss Marketing

By Ken Jackson Staff Writer

Osceola County EMS, the countys ambulance agency, has issued a notice to residents about a data breach affecting records of a number of local patients.

Advanced Data Processing, Inc. contract provider Intermedix, which manages billing for the ambulance agency, learned on Oct. 1, 2012 that one of its employees improperly accessed and disclosed certain patient account information in connection with a scheme to file falsified federal tax returns.

Account information accessed included name, date of birth and Social Security number, but no medical information was accessed. The county reported that the company employee accessing these records was apprehended by authorities, was immediately terminated by Intermedix and no longer has access to its systems. The company also thoroughly investigated the matter.

In an attempt to minimize the risk of future data breaches, the company has made more employees aware of this incident, the county said, and the consequences to the individual involved, and has reminded its employees of the importance of maintaining the security and confidentiality of individual records.

Anyone who has reason to believe their information was compromised or misused should contact the Osceola County Sheriffs Offices non-emergency number at 407-348-2222 and file a police report. Sheriffs spokesperson Twis Lizasuain said this week that the office had yet to receive reports of any cases.

Those who think they had a tax return illegally filed using their information, should contact the IRS Service Center 800-908-4490. Each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies is required as part of the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide consumer with a free copy of their credit report, at their request, once every 12 months.

To order, visit http://www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

Customers also may call Advanced Data Processing representatives at 877-264-9622 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with any questions regarding this matter.

Read more from the original source:
Osceola County EMS reports data breach