Calif. birth records found in unsecure location

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- State health officials are investigating a possible security breach involving 2,000 California birth records.

A microfiche reel with images of the birth certificates was found in an unsecure location, the California Department of Public Health said Monday. The certificates contain names, addresses, Social Security numbers and some medical information.

Officials said they were unaware of any unauthorized use of the information. Still, they are recommending that those who believe their information was on the film check their credit reports, place a fraud alert on their credit files, and take other steps to protect their identity.

The records were for people born from May through September 1974 in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter and Tehama counties, according to state health officials. Parents of children born in one of those counties during that period may also be affected.

Officials did not say exactly where the records were discovered.

Anita Gore, a spokeswoman for the state health department, said she could not release any additional information because the case is still under investigation.

The investigation was being conducted in collaboration with the California Highway Patrol.