With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
2,000 California birth certificates found in unsecure location
California public health officials are trying to find out how 2,000 state birth records were found on on a microfiche reel in an unsecure location. The records contain names, addresses, Social Security numbers and some medical information.
(
Frédéric Bisson/ Flickr Creative Commons
)
If you were born in 1974 in one of several California counties, officials say your Social Security and other personal information may have been at risk.
California public health officials are trying to find out how 2,000 state birth records were found on on a microfiche reel in an unsecure location. The records contain names, addresses, Social Security numbers and some medical information.
The records are from 1974 and span from the months of May through September.
"It only affects you if you were born during those months in 1974 in one of nine counties." said Anita Gore, spokeswoman with the California Department of Public Health. "And those counties would be Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Cruz Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, or Tehama counties."
Support for LAist comes from
Gore would not offer details about where the records were found, or who found them. But says it appears to be an isolated incident.
"We encourage people who have been affected by this to obtain a free credit report to monitor their credit," Gore said.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the matter.
"We regret that this information has been compromised," said Dr. Ron Champan, CDPH director and state health officer in a statement. "We take the breach of any personal information very seriously and are committed to improving our security systems."
If you believe your birth certificate info is may be contained in the film, you can call CDPH at (855) 737-1796, between 8:00 a.m. through 5:00p.m. Monday through Friday, or email 1974birth@cdph.ca.gov.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist