Blackstone Valley Community Health Care Notifies Individuals of Data Security Incident

PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND – April 18, 2024 –Blackstone Valley Community Health Care (“BVCHC”) has learned of a data security incident that may have involved personal and/or protected health information. BVCHC has sent notice of this incident to potentially affected individuals and provided resources to assist them.

On November 11, 2023, BVCHC experienced a disruption in our computer network. We immediately initiated an investigation and engaged digital forensics experts to assist us with the process. The forensic investigation determined that certain BVCHC data may have been acquired without authorization during the incident. BVCHC conducted a thorough review of the affected data to identify any personal or protected health information that may have been involved and worked diligently to validate the review results and confirm addresses for potentially affected individuals in preparation for notification. This process concluded on March 11, 2024, at which time BVCHC took additional steps to provide written notice.

Based on BVCHC’s review, the following information for current and former patients may have been affected as a result of the incident: names, dates of birth, health insurance information, treatment and/or diagnosis information, Medicare/Medicaid information, driver’s license or state identification card numbers, and/or Social Security numbers. BVCHC provided notice of this incident to the potentially impacted individuals on April 18, 2024.

BVCHC has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and address related concerns. Call center representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time, and can be reached at 1-833-542-2696.

The privacy and protection of personal and protected health information is a top priority for BVCHC. We deeply regret any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause.

BVCHC is providing the following information to help those wanting to know more about steps they can take to protect themselves and their information:

What steps can I take to protect my personal information?

Review Your Account Statements and Notify Law Enforcement of Suspicious Activity: As a precautionary measure, we recommend that you remain vigilant by reviewing your account statements and credit reports closely. If you detect any suspicious activity on an account, you should promptly notify the financial institution or company with which the account is maintained. You also should promptly report any fraudulent activity or any suspected incidence of identity theft to proper law enforcement authorities, your state attorney general, and/or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Copy of Credit Report: You may obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies once every 12 months by visiting http://www.annualcreditreport...., calling toll-free 1-877-322-8228, or by completing an Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348. You also can contact one of the following three national credit reporting agencies:

• Equifax, P.O. Box 105851, Atlanta, GA 30348, 1-800-525-6285, www.equifax.com.
• Experian, P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013, 1-888-397-3742, www.experian.com.
• TransUnion, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016, 1-800-916-8800, www.transunion.com.

Fraud Alert: You may want to consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report. An initial fraud alert is free and will stay on your credit file for at least one year. The alert informs creditors of possible fraudulent activity within your report and requests that the creditor contact you prior to establishing any accounts in your name. To place a fraud alert on your credit report, contact any of the three credit reporting agencies identified above. Additional information is available at http://www.annualcreditreport.com.

Security Freeze: You have the right to put a security freeze on your credit file for up to one year at no cost. This will prevent new credit from being opened in your name without the use of a PIN number that is issued to you when you initiate the freeze. A security freeze is designed to prevent potential creditors from accessing your credit report without your consent. As a result, using a security freeze may interfere with or delay your ability to obtain credit. You must separately place a security freeze on your credit file with each credit reporting agency. In order to place a security freeze, you may be required to provide the consumer reporting agency with information that identifies you including your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, current and previous addresses, a copy of your state-issued identification card, and a recent utility bill, bank statement or insurance statement.

Additional Free Resources: You can obtain information from the consumer reporting agencies, the FTC, or from your respective state Attorney General about fraud alerts, security freezes, and steps you can take toward preventing identity theft. You may report suspected identity theft to local law enforcement, including to the FTC or to the Attorney General in your state.

Additional information for residents of the following states:

You also have certain rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): These rights include to know what is in your file; to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information; to have consumer reporting agencies correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; as well as other rights. For more information about the FCRA, and your rights pursuant to the FCRA, please visit https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reportingact.pdf.

The investigation concluded on March 11, 2024