Providence-based Women and Infants Hospital is alerting patients from Providence and New Bedford that some records containing personal information have gone missing.

In a statement, the hospital states unencrypted backup tapes containing ultrasound images, patient names and in some cases social security numbers went missing from the hospital's two ambulatory sites in Providence and New Bedford.

At the New Bedford walk-in site on Brigham Street, backup tapes dating from 2002-2007 have disappeared, with Providence tapes from 1993-97 also not being accounted for.

Hospital officials say they do not believe the personal records are being accessed for personal gain, and they may have been accidentally destroyed.

As a precaution, the hospital is providing affected patients with free credit monitoring services.

If you believe you are affected but do not receive a letter by November 23rd, please call 1-877-810-7928, Monday through Friday from 9am to 9pm.

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420