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WV PEIA Reports Missing Data File; 200,000 Notified Save Email Print
Posted: 5:12 PM Oct 22, 2007
Last Updated: 9:33 PM Oct 22, 2007
Reporter: Mike Waterhouse
Email Address: mike.waterhouse@wsaz.com

A | A | A

The West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency announced that a specialized computer tape that contained data about members of PEIA was reported missing.

According to a news release from the PEIA, a third party mail carrier was transporting the tape to a data analyst in Pennsylvania -- and reported it missingon October 16. The carrier asked PEIA for the weekend to search for the tape, but it has not located it.

The PEIA says the tape "was in a format that cannot be read by standard computer equipment. It would require specialized data processing equipment loaded with appropriate software and highly knowledgeable individuals to view the data."

The state is mailing letters to about 200,000 past and current member of PEIA, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and AccessWV.

According to the news release, the tape includes names and maiden names, addresses, social security numbers, telephone numbers, and marital status of program participants and their covered dependents. The PEIA says the tape did not contain medical or prescription claims information.

The PEIA says letters will be sent to policyholders' last known address -- and will contain information on how to place a fraud alert on their credit files.

They're also recommending that people affected by this lost data contact the three credit reporting agencies to place a free fraud alert on their accounts:

Experian
888-397-3742

Equifax
800-525-6285

TransUnion
800-680-7289

The PEIA is creating a call center that will take questions regarding the lost data. It will start on Wednesday, October 24, at 8am. The number is: 1-800-435-4351.

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Posted by: Adam on Oct 29, 2007 at 08:59 AM
Why are they not paying for at least one year of free credit monitoring like other companies have done?

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 25, 2007 at 01:45 PM
And they want to put a pre-existing condition on everything so they don't have to pay!!!

Posted by: Chrys on Oct 25, 2007 at 10:59 AM
PEIA too ignorant to realize that Soc Sec numbers are not needed for the data analysis they were having done.

Posted by: Abused on Oct 23, 2007 at 10:00 PM
here we go - the political chronies that our government puts in to run these offices are not qualified to run the offices they hold. I can say this if I am affected by this I may rename the agency after I sue the state and PEIA for billions note the b. I am tired of this state and its poor quality of service to its employees and citizens. Please for the love of god tell the truth as well. It has been told the case to the tape has been found only to not contain the tape, is this true?

Posted by: Evert on Oct 23, 2007 at 03:07 PM
Not surprised! Has anyone ever tried talking and getting anything correct with the PEIA. Why was anything being delivered on a hard copy?

Posted by: G.M. on Oct 23, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Surely they don't expect us to pay for their mistake of losing our information!

Posted by: Tim on Oct 23, 2007 at 01:20 AM
PEIA needs to do what any other hospital does when a patient leaves information laying around. They need to pay for credit protections

Posted by: james on Oct 22, 2007 at 09:00 PM
Now PEIA needs to reimburse us for any damages to our credit report. Or at least waive the co payment on our medicine!!!!!

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