Notice of Data Privacy Event
July 17, 2018
About the data privacy event
I recently discovered an incident that may impact certain Ruben U. Carvajal, MD patient information. I have been working, with the assistance of third-party forensic investigators, to determine the full nature and scope of this incident. I am working to take additional steps to strengthen the security of my systems. I am also working with appropriate law enforcement agencies regarding this incident.
Frequently asked questions
What happened? On January 3, 2018, I received a report that certain Ruben U. Carvajal, MD patient information may have been accessible on the internet. Upon receiving this report, I initiated an internal investigation and contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the New York Police Department (NYPD). On January 18, 2018, the FBI came to my office and examined my computer. On February 13, 2018, the FBI told me that my electronic medical records (“EMR”) program had been subject to unauthorized access. I am also working with a forensic investigator to determine the full nature and scope of the incident. Through this investigation, on May 22, 2018, I confirmed that there was unauthorized access to my computer between December 16, 2017 and January 3, 2018. While the investigation was unable to confirm whether my EMR program was subject to unauthorized access, it would have been accessible to anyone who accessed my computer.
What information may have been affected by this incident? After conducting a forensic investigation, on May 26, 2018, I determined that an unauthorized actor may have had access to the following types of patient information: name, address, date of birth, medical history, diagnosis/conditions, lab/test results, treatment information, medications, health insurance information, and/or claims information. In addition, for patients who receive Medicare, your Medicare ID which is also your Social Security number may have been subject to unauthorized access.
How will I know if I am affected by this incident? With the assistance of a mail vendor, on [date] I will begin mailing notice letters to individuals whose protected information was contained on my computer and may have been accessed by an unauthorized actor.
What is Dr. Carvajal doing? I am providing potentially impacted individuals access to free credit monitoring services. Information on these services is included in the notice letters that are being mailed to affected individuals. I am taking additional actions to strengthen the security of my systems moving forward.
Whom should I contact for more information? I set up a call center to answer questions from those who might be impacted by this incident. Anyone with additional questions about the incident, including whether you are affected, may contact the call center at 1-855-682-4281 (toll free), Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EDT.
What can I do to protect my information?
Monitor Your Accounts.
Credit Reports. I encourage potentially impacted individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud, to review account statements, and to monitor their credit reports and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity. Under U.S. law, you are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. You may also contact the three major credit bureaus directly to request a free copy of your credit report.
Fraud Alerts. At no charge, you can also have these credit bureaus place a “fraud alert” on your file that alerts creditors to take additional steps to verify your identity prior to granting credit in your name. Note, however, that because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you, it may also delay your ability to obtain credit while the agency verifies your identity. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the others are notified to place fraud alerts on your file. Should you wish to place a fraud alert, or should you have any questions regarding your credit report, please contact any one of the agencies listed below.
Equifax
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348
1-800-525-6285
Experian
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742
TransUnion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
1-800-680-7289
Security Freeze. You may also place a security freeze on your credit reports. A security freeze prohibits a credit bureau from releasing any information from a consumer’s credit report without the consumer’s written authorization. However, please be advised that placing a security freeze on your credit report may delay, interfere with, or prevent the timely approval of any requests you make for new loans, credit mortgages, employment, housing, or other services. If you have been a victim of identity theft and you provide the credit bureau with a valid police report, it cannot charge you to place, lift, or remove a security freeze. In all other cases, a credit bureau may charge you a fee to place, temporarily lift, or permanently remove a security freeze. Fees vary based on where you live, but commonly range from $3 to $15. You will need to place a security freeze separately with each of the three major credit bureaus listed above if you wish to place a freeze on all of your credit files. In order to request a security freeze, you will need to supply your full name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, all addresses for up to five previous years, email address, a copy of your state identification card or driver’s license, and a copy of a utility bill, bank or insurance statement, or other statement proving residence. To find out more on how to place a security freeze, you can use the following contact information:
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
1-800-685-1111
https://www.freeze.equifax.com
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742
TransUnion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
1-888-909-8872
Additional Information.
Instances of known or suspected identity theft should be reported to law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission. 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 encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them.