Notice of Data Privacy Event
Atlantic General Hospital (“AGH”) is providing notice of an incident that may affect the privacy of personal information. AGH takes this incident seriously. This notice provides details of the incident, our response, and steps individuals may take to better protect against possible misuse of their personal information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.
What Happened? On January 29, 2023, AGH discovered encrypted files on certain computer systems. We immediately launched an investigation, with the assistance of third-party forensic specialists, to determine the nature and scope of the activity. Our investigation determined that there was unauthorized access to certain of our servers beginning on January 20, 2023. Through our investigation, we learned that certain files within our network were subject to unauthorized access during the period of unauthorized access. AGH then undertook a comprehensive review of these files to determine what data was contained within the files and to whom that data relates. On March 6, 2023, AGH determined that the impacted files contained certain information related to patients and/or employees. On March 24, 2023, AGH began mailing letters to potentially impacted individuals. AGH has seen no evidence of misuse of any information related to this incident.
What Information Was Involved? While the specific data elements vary for each potentially affected individual, the scope of information potentially involved includes an individual’s name, and one or more of Social Security number, driver’s license number, financial account information, date of birth, medical record number, treating/referring physician, health insurance information, subscriber number, medical history information, diagnosis/treatment information.
We take the confidentiality, privacy, and security of information in our care seriously. Upon discovery, we immediately commenced an investigation to confirm the nature and scope of the incident. We reported this incident to law enforcement, and we are taking steps to implement additional safeguards and review policies and procedures relating to data privacy and security.
AGH encourages individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing personal account statements and monitoring free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Individuals can review the enclosed Steps You Can Take to Help Protect Personal Information for additional details on how to take steps to protect personal information should they feel it is necessary to do so.
Whom Should Individuals Contact for More Information? If individuals have questions about this incident, please call 1-888-338-9887, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Steps You Can Take to Help Protect Personal Information
Monitor Your Accounts
Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. You may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of your credit report.
Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If you are a victim of identity theft, you are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should you wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any one of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.
As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent. However, you should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in your credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application you make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, you cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on your credit report. To request a security freeze, you will need to provide the following information:
- Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
- Social Security number;
- Date of birth;
- Addresses for the prior two to five years;
- Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
- A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and
- A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if you are a victim of identity theft.
Should you wish to place a credit freeze, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:
Equifax
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/
1-888-298-0045
Equifax Fraud Alert
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348-5069
Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
Experian
https://www.experian.com/help/
1-888-397-3742
Experian Fraud Alert
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion
https://www.transunion.com/credit-help
1-800-916-8800
TransUnion Fraud Alert
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094
Additional Information
You may further educate yourself regarding identity theft, fraud alerts,
credit freezes, and the steps you can take to protect your personal information
by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission,
or your state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached
at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580;
www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal
Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information
has been misused to file a complaint with them. You can obtain further
information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information
listed above. You have the right to file a police report if you ever experience
identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with
law enforcement for identity theft, you will likely need to provide some
proof that you have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity
theft should also be reported to law enforcement and your state Attorney
General. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.