NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- More than 10,000 patients who were treated or transported by the FDNY EMS from 2011 to 2018 may have had their personal information -- including Social Security numbers -- compromised, after an employee lost their personal external hard drive in March, the FDNY said Friday afternoon.
The FDNY said 10,253 individuals were notified this week by mail of the massive data breach.
"The employee, who was authorized to access the records, had uploaded the information onto the personal external device, which was reported missing," the FDNY said in a statement.
The statement continued, "Although there is no evidence to date that any of the information stored on the personal device has been accessed, the FDNY is treating the incident as if the information may have been seen by an unauthorized person. FDNY has notified the impacted patients."
The FDNY said that the 3,000 patients whose Social Security numbers may have been compromised have been offered free credit monitoring.
Patients can call (877) 213 -1732 between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. if they have any questions about the breach.
