Senior Spotlight
Laptop Still Missing, City Retirees Advised; 'Protect Against Identity Theft'

A city agency has sent retired New York City workers a Consumer Alert from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) describing "additional steps that you can take to protect yourself against identity theft" that might possibly occur from the theft of a laptop computer containing personal information about city retirees.

The Financial Information Services Agency (FISA), which sent out the notice, said the Police Department is still trying to recover the laptop, which was stolen from a CGI Technologies and Solutions employee. CGI is a consultant to FISA.

FISA said it was informed by CGI that the laptop was password protected and that CGI's analysis concludes that the probability of sensitive data being recoverable is limited.

However, FISA said, "There is a risk that the thief could gain access to personal information stored on the laptop, such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers and bank account numbers." CGI said it could not say which retirees' names were on the stolen laptop.

CGI offered to help any retiree to protect any personal information that may have been on the laptop with free coverage from the Equifax, Experian and Trans Union credit reporting agencies, consisting of one year of monitoring. The monitoring can detect if attempts have been made to steal your identity. Retirees were given thorough instructions on how to get the free identity theft protection and told they must apply by Nov. 30, 2007. Those with any questions were advised to call FISA Call Center at 212-857-1777.

The FISA letter was signed by Robert W. Townsend, its executive director. The letter also included a copy of the FTC Consumer Alert, which also included a thorough and detailed list of instructions to help prevent identity theft.

MEDICARE OVERPAYMENTS NOT COLLECTED: Auditors from the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that overpayments to private medical insurance companies from Medicare totalling $59 million were reported to the Bush presidential administration, but no effort was made to get the money back.

The story, reported in the New York Times on Monday, said that the overpayments were discovered in a 2003 audit of 49 of the 220 firms that offer Medicare Advantage plans. "Significant errors" were found at 41 companies, the story said, but Medicare officials took no action on the findings.

The GAO, Congress' investigative arm, said the wrongly claimed payments, if retrieved, could have been used to reduce Medicare members' premiums or to give seniors more benefits.

An official of the Bush administration, when informed of the findings, said the administration welcomed "constructive suggestions for improving the audit process", but said additional legislative authority might be needed to clarify which agency would have authority to get the money back.

The GAO also said the administration is not auditing as many insurance firms as it is authorized to audit.

GALLAGHER PRAISED: City Councilmember Dennis Gallagher (D- Middle Village), who is alleged to have assaulted a constituent, has received high praise from the Middle Village Adult Center for contributions he has made to the center through the council. This fiscal year, the center received $58,500 from the lawmaker to support programs and activities for its members. Previously Gallagher provided $45,000 for a Meals-On-Wheels delivery van, $40,000 for new computers and $100,000 for an 18-passenger transportation vehicle.

"We appreciate the longstanding support that Councilman Gallagher has given to our senior center and to all the worthy causes in the community," center officials said in an article in the current issue of the center bulletin.