UPMC Says ID Theft Scam Affects All 62,000 Workers
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says federal investigators now believe all 62,000 of the hospital network's employees have had their personal information accessed by identity thieves who have used information from about 800 workers to file bogus federal tax returns.
UPMC last month believed only 27,000 workers were affected, but the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Friday that a memo to employees says "the scope may be larger than originally thought, potentially affecting every employee."
UPMC spokeswoman Gloria Kreps released this statement following the latest developments:
"UPMC has been informed by law enforcement authorities based on their ongoing investigation that more employee information was stolen then they originally knew. This new information has indicated that employee names, Social Security numbers, addresses, salaries, bank account numbers and bank routing numbers may have been accessed.
"UPMC is working diligently with external agencies, including the IRS, Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the guidance of the United States Attorney, police to identify the circumstances in which the identity theft occurred. That investigation is ongoing. Secret Service, District Attorney and IRS as the investigation continues."
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office says the investigation is continuing.
Kreps says UPMC is taking steps to help their staff members who have become victims of identity theft.
She says they are offering computer fraud protection service to its employees for free, as well as setting up a hotline for employees with questions, among other measures. She adds that computer system upgrades should prevent similar future attacks.
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