SouthCoast Medical Group, LLC Notice of Data Event

August 17, 2023

What Happened? On June 18, 2023, SouthCoast Medical Group, LLC (“SouthCoast”) identified unauthorized activity on certain network systems. In response, we promptly took steps to secure our network and initiated an investigation. Although the investigation is ongoing, to date, the investigation determined that an unauthorized actor downloaded certain files from our systems potentially between June 15 and June 18, 2023. The investigation to determine what information may be impacted and to whom it relates is still ongoing at this time.

What Information Was Involved? We note that SouthCoast’s electronic medical record system was not involved or accessed by this incident. Although the efforts to confirm the full extent of affected information remain ongoing, at this time, SouthCoast believes that certain information related to SouthCoast’s current and former patients may be affected, including an individual’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, address, and phone number, as well as certain information related to treatment such as admission and/or discharge dates for a subset of patients. Please note that SouthCoast has not yet identified which patients may be impacted or the specific information that may be impacted. SouthCoast’s investigation is ongoing and it will provide appropriate notification based on the results.

What SouthCoast Is Doing. SouthCoast treats our responsibility to safeguard the information in our possession as an utmost priority. As such, SouthCoast responded quickly to this incident and has been working diligently to complete the comprehensive investigation to determine the full nature and scope of the event and provide complete and accurate notice of the incident. SouthCoast’s response to this event also included prompt reporting to federal law enforcement. Further, as part of our ongoing commitment to the privacy and security of personal information in our care, we have a process in place to ensure regular and timely review, and where necessary, the updating of our existing policies and procedures related to data protection and security. We have also instituted additional security measures as appropriate to further secure the information in our system and are increasing the frequency and scope of our training to employees regarding the importance of safeguarding data. SouthCoast is also notifying requisite regulatory authorities.

What You Can Do. If you believe this event may have affected you, SouthCoast encourages you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Further, please review the enclosed Steps You Can Take to Help Protect Personal Information section of this notice for additional information.

For More Information. If you have additional questions or concerns, SouthCoast has established a dedicated call center at (833) 522-8438 for any questions individuals may have regarding this event.

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Monitor Your Accounts

Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. You may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of your credit report.

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 may need to provide the following information, depending on whether the request is made online, by phone, or by mail:

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, 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.

Should you wish to place a fraud alert or credit freeze, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Additional Information

You may further educate yourself regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps you can take to protect your personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or your state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission may 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. You can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. 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 and your state Attorney General. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.