By Staff
LANSING – The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) will offer identity theft protection to more than 4,000 current and former Michigan citizens who have been participating in a long-term scientific study, after an apparent theft may have put personal information at-risk.
"I am outraged that it appears that someone would steal such valuable information from these citizens and the state," said Janet Olszewski, MDCH director. "We have contacted these citizens and expressed the state's regret for any distress that this theft has caused these citizens. We take the protection of all sensitive information very seriously."
Olszewski said MDCH also is tightening its security protocols and has referred this criminal act to the Michigan State Police for investigation.
"We will begin offering identity theft protection to citizens affected by this theft immediately," Olszewski said.
"Our priority in this case is to help insure that the identity of these citizens is safeguarded."
MDCH also has notified Capitol View Building management staff and has already instituted a thorough review of MDCH internal security protocols for sensitive data.
All 4,000 participants in the study were sent notification letters of the security problem on Sept. 12, Olszewski said.
Individuals affected by the incident who believe their identity to be at risk of being stolen will have their credit monitored for one year – at no cost to them.
The information was part of the state's PBB Long Term Study, and has been missing from a secured floor in an MDCH building since Aug. 4.
The ensuing investigation discovered on Sept. 8 that the missing flash drive contained names, current addresses, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers and dates of birth. The missing data did not include any health information, medical records or laboratory information.
Olszewski said MDCH tirelessly works to keep sensitive information of this nature secure. Paper microfiche files for past and current scientific studies are kept in locking file cabinets in locked rooms with restricted access.