UNC Hospitals Notifies Patients that Former Employee Used Patient Information for Personal Gain

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–UNC Hospitals announced that it has mailed letters to 719 patients whose information may be at risk for identity theft.

On September 10, 2021, UNC Hospitals learned that one of its employees was using patient information for personal financial gain. The employee was responsible for handling payments from patients for services rendered by certain clinics of UNC Hospitals. The now former employee had access to patient demographic information including Social Security numbers, as well as copies of patient driver’s licenses and insurance cards.

UNC Hospitals has confirmed that this former employee used some patients’ demographic and financial information to fraudulently obtain goods or services.

UNC Hospitals is making written notification by mail to all patients who might have been affected by this incident. The notification letters outline how this occurred and offers all patients receiving a notification letter one year of free credit monitoring.

UNC Hospitals Police Department has initiated a criminal investigation into this matter, and patients who receive a letter are directed to contact the UNC Hospitals Police Department at 984-974-0462 if they have questions or suspect they have been a victim of financial fraud.

UNC Hospitals regrets any concern or inconvenience this incident may cause. In response to this incident, they have taken action in accordance with policy and reviewed the payment process to ensure internal controls are effective and appropriate. If patients have any questions about this incident, they should call the UNC Health Privacy Office at 984-974-1069, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Contacts

Phil Bridges

(919) 457-6347

phil.bridges@unchealth.unc.edu