Medical Records Tossed Into Landfill During Office Renovation

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CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – State health officials say some computer disks containing clients’ medical records were accidentally tossed into a landfill.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, a set of computer disks belonging to the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) may have been discarded at a landfill during a recent office renovation.

The disks contain personal information of clients who applied for services from the Equipment Distribution Service within DSDHH from January 2005 through December 2008.

Officials say the only way to access the information is by using special software.

Meanwhile, letters have been sent to each of the individuals whose personal information may have been tossed in the landfill.  The letter explains what happened and provides guidance on how they can protect themselves from identity theft or scams. DSDHH has added a link to consumer protection information on the division’s website.