Notification of Data Security Incident
[02/04/2024] - On December 6, 2023, we discovered we were victimized by a sophisticated ransomware attack. Upon discovery, we immediately secured our network and launched an internal investigation to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Based on the investigation, we believe that patient files may have been subject to unauthorized access during the attack. Although we are unable to confirm the specific information that may be affected at this time, we are providing you with notification in an abundance of caution as we value the security of our patients’ information.
While the investigation and analysis of the data potentially at risk remains ongoing, the information believed to be at risk may include your first and last name, together with one or more of the following: address, phone number, a limited medical/dental history, and/or dental imaging.
At this time, we are not aware of any evidence to suggest that any information has been fraudulently misused. However, we are unable to rule out the possibility that the information may have been accessed during the period of compromise. Therefore, in an abundance of caution, we are notifying potentially impacted individuals of this incident. If your information was impacted by this event, you will receive a written notification in the coming weeks.
In response to this incident, we have evaluated and reinforced existing security measures and facilities within the network to ensure optimal data security. Although we have no evidence of actual or attempted fraudulent misuse of any information as a result of this incident, individuals are nonetheless encouraged to monitor their account statements and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity and to detect errors.
Should you have additional questions or concerns regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us at 301-654-6077. You may also write to us at 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 815, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.
We take the privacy and security of the information in its care seriously, and sincerely regret any worry or inconvenience this incident may have caused.
What steps can I take to protect my private information?
If you detect suspicious activity on any of your accounts or explanation of benefits forms, you should promptly notify the financial institution or company with which the account is maintained. You should also report any fraudulent activity or any suspected incidents of identity theft to law enforcement.
You may obtain a copy of your credit report at no cost from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies. To do so, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll free at 1-877-322-8228. Contact information for the three agencies appears at the bottom of this page.
You can take steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission to protect yourself from identify theft. The FTC’s website offers helpful information at www.ftc.gov/idtheft.
Was my information specifically impacted?
Our investigation into the data at risk remains ongoing. Should our investigation reveal that your information was impacted, we will provide written notice directly to you. Importantly, we have no evidence to suggest that any information was subject to actual or attempted misuse as a result of this incident.
How do I obtain a copy of my credit report?
You can obtain a copy of your credit report, free of charge, directly from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies once every twelve (12) months. To do so, please visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll free at 1-877-322-8228. Contact information for the three agencies is included in the notification letter and is also listed at the bottom of this page.
How do I put a fraud alert on my account?
A fraud alert informs creditors of possible fraudulent activity within your report and requests that creditors contact you prior to establishing any accounts in your name. To place a fraud alert on your credit report, contact Equifax, Experian or TransUnion and follow the Fraud Victims instructions. To place a fraud alert on your credit accounts, contact your financial institution or credit provider. Contact information for the three nationwide credit reporting agencies is listed below.
Contact information for the three nationwide credit reporting agencies is as follows:
TransUnion
1-800-680-7289
www.transunion.com
TransUnion Fraud Alert
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016-2000
TransUnion Credit Freeze
P.O. Box 160
Woodlyn, PA 19094
Experian
1-888-397-3742
Experian Fraud Alert
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Experian Credit Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Equifax
1-888-298-0045
www.equifax.com
Equifax Fraud Alert
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348-5069
Equifax Credit Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
Additional Information
You can further educate yourself regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps you can take to protect your personal information by contacting the credit reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or your state Attorney General. The FTC also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. The FTC may be reached at 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261.
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, your state Attorney General, and the FTC. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.