Smart Consumer

Other Important Records

What to KnowWhat to Do

It’s important to keep your medical records, social security number, education records, mortgage records, passport, life insurance, and other important records safe and secure.

There will be situations where you need to disclose your secure information, but limit those situations as much as possible. The most vulnerable records are your social security, medical and education records.

Medical Records

  • The privacy of your medical information is partially protected by a federal law called the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law requires medical providers and other healthcare entities, such as pharmacies and insurance companies, to keep your information private. 

  • There are exceptions to HIPAA. Healthcare providers can share your records if it is for your treatment, payment, or if your personal health information is redacted.

Social Security Numbers

  • Keep your social security number private at all times.

  • Do not carry your social security card with you. Make sure you have it stored in a safe place.

  • In Connecticut, employers cannot require your number to be used on access cards, transmitted over the internet, (unless the connection is secure and the Social Security Number is encrypted), or require your Social Security Number to access a website. 

  • Federal law prohibits putting your Social Security Number on checks issued by a government agency.

Education Records

The privacy of a student’s education records are protected under a law called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).Parents or eligible students (students 18 years old or above or students beyond high school) must give permission for educational records to be released.

Schools can provide information to:

  • School officials with a legitimate educational interest. 

  • Certain officials when the school is undergoing an audit or evaluation. 

  • Parties who may be providing financial aid to the student. 

  • State and local authorities with a valid law enforcement interest.

Schools can give out the following information without the permission of parents or eligible students:

  • A student’s name. 

  • A student’s address.

  • A student’s telephone number. 

  • Date and place of the student’s birth. 

  • Honors and awards the student received. 

  • Dates the student attended the school.