$25K Reward For Stolen Computers Containing Patients' Medical Records
TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) — A $25,000 reward has been offered to track down stolen computers carrying the medical records of nearly 340,000 patients in LA County.
The computers were nabbed Feb. 5 from a Torrance branch of Sutherland Healthcare Solutions, Inc., which provides contracted services to the LA County departments of Health Services and Public Health, county officials said.
Sutherland announced the reward Thursday for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible and for the return of the eight HP Pro 3400 computer towers.
The company initially claimed 168,000 patients' information had been compromised but it was announced Thursday that 170,000 additional individuals had had their information breached, according to the LA County Auditor-Controller's Office. That includes first and last names, Social Security numbers, medical and billing information and possibly birth dates, addresses and diagnoses.
Officials say Sutherland will notify those additional 170,000 patients by mail.
Those who want to know if their personal information was compromised can call Sutherland toll-free at (877) 868-9284.
Torrance police have released video images of a suspect in the case, who was described as an adult, African American man, with a thick build. He was wearing gloves, a dark-colored hat with white insignias, bright blue athletic shoes and a large watch on his left wrist. He also had an earring in his left ear.
Anyone with information about the theft was urged to contact Torrance police at (310) 618-2374.
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