Desktop Burglary at Temple U. Subjects Nearly 3,800 Patients to Potential ID Theft

An unencrypted PC containing personal information was stolen during a break-in at a Temple University physicians' office.

The computer, located in the department of surgery, held patient data that could be used for identity theft, including name, age, billing codes, and, in some cases, the name of the referring physician. The files did not contain Social Security numbers or financial data.

Temple said the theft was promptly reported to police, the Department of Health and Human Services, and to the affected patients.