PORTLAND, Texas, July 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Coastal Plains Community MHMR
Center (d/b/a Coastal Plains Community Center and Coastal Plains
Integrated Health) ("Coastal Plains"), a provider of mental health,
developmental disabilities, substance use, and primary care
services, confirmed that it experienced a data incident in
November 2023 and issued notices to
affected individuals and relevant state and federal agencies about
the incident.
On November 13, 2023, Coastal
Plains discovered suspicious activity on its systems with
indicators consistent with a ransomware attack. Coastal Plains
immediately began an investigation and took steps to contain the
situation, including notifying federal law enforcement and engaging
cybersecurity and privacy professionals to assist.
The investigation found evidence that an unauthorized actor
accessed the Coastal Plains systems from November 12, 2023, to November 13, 2023, and after extensive document
analysis and review, the investigation determined that personal
information was potentially accessed and/or acquired. There is
currently no evidence that any information has been misused for
identity theft or fraud in connection with the
incident.
Coastal Plains determined that the following types of
information may have been impacted: name, date of birth, birth
certificate, Social Security number, driver's
license/government ID, other government-issued ID, passport number,
medical record number, patient account number, medical provider
name, health insurance information, clinical or treatment
information, financial account information, and taxpayer
identification number. Note that this describes general
categories of information identified as present within the affected
systems during the incident and likely includes categories that are
not relevant to every individual.
Upon becoming aware of the incident, Coastal Plains immediately
implemented measures to further improve the security of its systems
and practices, including changing access and authentication
controls, and enhancing threat monitoring and detection processes.
After determining that an unauthorized actor gained access to its
systems, Coastal Plains immediately began analyzing the information
involved to confirm the identities of potentially affected
individuals and notify them. The Coastal Plains team has worked
diligently to complete the investigation, add further technical
safeguards to existing protections, and bring systems back online
as quickly and securely as possible. Throughout the investigation
and response, Coastal Plains worked with leading privacy and
security professionals, and has reported this incident to relevant
government agencies.
Written notification letters are being mailed on July 30, 2024, to the individuals identified as
potentially impacted.
Under U.S. law, individuals are entitled to 1 free credit report
annually from each of the 3 major credit reporting bureaus. To
obtain a free credit report, individuals may visit
www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228.
Alternatively, affected individuals can contact the 3 major credit
reporting bureaus directly at the addresses below.
- Equifax:
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/;
1-888-298-0045; Fraud Alert: PO Box 105069,
Atlanta, GA 30348; Credit Freeze:
PO Box 105788, Atlanta, GA
30348.
- Experian: https://www.experian.com/help/;
1-888-397-3742; Fraud Alert and Credit Freeze: PO Box
9554, Allen, TX 75013.
- TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-help;
1-833-395-6938; Fraud Alert: PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016; Credit Freeze: PO box 160
Woodlyn, PA 19094.
Information regarding identity theft, fraud alerts,
security freezes, and the steps an individual can take to protect
personal information may be obtained by contacting the consumer
reporting agencies, the Federal Trade Commission, or the
appropriate state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission
can 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.
Individuals can obtain further information on how to file such a
complaint by calling 1-877-438-4338. Individuals should file a
police report if they are a victim of identity theft or
fraud. To file a report with law enforcement for
identity theft, an individual will likely need to provide some
proof that they have been a victim.
If you have questions for Coastal Plains, please call the
toll-free response line at 888-244-3081.
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SOURCE Coastal Plains Community MHMR Center