Identity Theft Alert
June 26 Update: United Healthcare, the provider for UC Irvine’s Graduate Student Health Insurance Program (GSHIP), has confirmed that its Student Resources Department in Texas was the source of a compromise of Social Security numbers of some current and former UCI graduate and medical students. UHC has offered credit monitoring services free of charge to affected students. In addition, an on-campus resource has been designated to assist with any residual problems caused by the security breach.
Students began reporting the problem to the university in February. When some students attempted to file their federal tax returns, the IRS informed them that a return already had been submitted using their Social Security number. The UCI Police Department has received 160 identity theft reports.
Questions and Answers
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about this issue.
Q. How was the source of the compromise identified?
A. The source of the breach was a document containing the names and Social Security numbers of about one-third of the 3,500 graduate and medical school students enrolled during the 2006-07 academic year and covered by GSHIP. UCI police and other campus staff, along with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and UHC, determined that the breach occurred at UHC’s Student Resources Department in Texas.
Q. What is UHC doing to help?
A. The company offered affected students a three-year subscription to Equifax 3-in-1 Credit Watch Gold Program. Questions can be directed to UHC’s customer service department at 888-302-6188 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Q. What is UCI doing to help?
A. The university shares students’ concerns about the breach of identity information within UHC and understands that mitigating the losses can be challenging. Linda Sizemore, director of financial services at UCI, has been designated as the on-campus resource for victimized students. Call 949-824-4687 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or e-mail lssizemo@uci.edu.
Q. What is the status of the investigation?
A. UCI is not able to share specific details at this time, because the criminal investigation is still continuing. Anyone with information regarding these crimes, or anyone who may be a victim should call the UCI Police Department at 949-824-5223.
