Dynamic Health Care, Inc. (“DHC”) is providing notice of a recent event that may affect the privacy of information of certain nursing care facility patients and employees for whom it provides consulting, administrative, and back office services, including Woodbridge Nursing Pavilion, Waterfront Terrace, Bridgeview Health Care Center, Willow Crest Nursing Pavilion, Ottawa Pavilion, and River North of Bradley Health & Rehabilitation Center.
This notification provides information about the event, DHC’s response to it, and resources available to individuals to help protect their information, should they feel it necessary to do so.
What Happened? On November 8, 2020, DHC identified the presence of malware on certain computer systems in its environment. DHC immediately commenced an investigation to determine the full nature and scope of the incident and to secure its network.
Through this investigation, DHC determined that in connection with the malware event, an unauthorized actor accessed certain systems within its network on or about November 8, 2020. On or about January 7, 2021, DHC determined the unauthorized actor may have accessed or acquired information regarding certain nursing care facility residents and employees located within these systems.
DHC has worked since this time to identify the individuals who may be impacted, the types of information at issue, and the best contact information for those who may be impacted by the event, in order to provide an accurate notification.
What Information Was Involved? DHC conducted a thorough review of the relevant systems to identify the types of information stored there and to whom it related. DHC’s review determined that sensitive information was present in the affected systems and it is possible that this information could have been accessed or acquired by an unauthorized actor.
While the specific data elements vary for each potentially affected individual, the scope of information potentially involved includes individuals’ name, date of birth, Social Security number, treating nursing care facility name, and may include a resident identification number and dates of admission and/or discharge.
How Will Individuals Know If They Are Affected By This Incident? DHC is mailing notice letters to the individuals identified as impacted for whom they have valid mailing addresses. If an individual did not receive a letter but would like to know if they are affected, they may call DHC’s dedicated assistance line, detailed below.
Also Read: Three Factors to Consider When Balancing Data Usability and Security
What Is DHC Doing? DHC has strict security measures to protect the information in its possession, and has worked to add further technical safeguards to its environment. Following this incident, DHC took immediate steps to improve the security of its environment and increase its security posture. DHC is also implementing additional training and education to its employees to prevent similar future incidents.
Whom Should Individuals Contact For More Information? If individuals have questions or would like additional information, they may call DHC’s dedicated assistance line, 866-416-6781 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Central Time, Monday through Friday.
What You Can Do? DHC encourages individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud, to review account statements and explanation of benefits forms, and to monitor free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Under U.S. law individuals are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus.
To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Individuals may also contact the three major credit bureaus directly to request a free copy of their credit report, place a fraud alert, or a security freeze. Contact information for the credit bureaus is below:
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:
1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
2. Social Security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;
5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, military identification, etc.); and
7. 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.
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