Identity theft scam affects every Shepherd Center employee

ATLANTA — The FBI is investigating a major identity theft scam that affected every employee at the Shepherd Center.

Anthony Watkins is one of hundreds of employees at Shepherd Center who's personal information was compromised.

"Have you been monitoring your accounts more frequently?" asked Channel 2’s Liz Artz.

“Yes I have," said employee Anthony Watkins.

Channel 2 Action News obtained an email that went out to all employees from the CEO notifying them that an outside party used his email address to obtain names, Social Security numbers, home addresses, date of birth and current salaries of all employees.

“It's a little scary, it is kind of scary," Watkins told Artz.

Shepherd Center would not comment on how many employees' personal information was then used illegally, but a spokeswoman released a statement Friday that said in part:

"Shepherd Center immediately notified the FBI of the incident. Shepherd Center also immediately notified its employees and provided credit monitoring and identity theft resolution services."

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Artz contacted the FBI, and the agency had no further comment on its investigation. Jane Sanders with Shepherd Center said the IRS issued an alert because of similar phishing scams occurring at other companies.

Watkins told Artz he now keeps a constant eye on his accounts, and checks them at least once a week.

The company sent out a three-page email notifying employees of how they could protect themselves against fraud.

They said none of the patients information was compromised.

Cox Media Group