Community Dental is issuing an update to its initial November 2023 notice of an event that may have impacted the confidentiality of information related to certain individuals. We are providing updated information about the event, our response, and steps potentially affected individuals may take to better protect against the possibility of identity theft and fraud, should they feel it is appropriate to do so.

On September 19, 2023, Community Dental became aware of suspicious activity affecting certain systems within its computer network. We immediately launched an investigation to confirm the full nature and scope of the activity and also reported the event to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”).

Through our investigation, we determined that certain Community Dental computer systems were accessible to an unknown actor between September 19, 2023 and September 20, 2023, and some of the files on those systems may have been viewed or downloaded during that time. As such, we conducted a time-intensive and thorough programmatic and manual review of the data which was stored on the impacted systems, with the assistance of third-party data review specialists, and determined that certain sensitive information was contained therein. Therefore, we conducted additional review of our records to confirm the identities and contact information for potentially affected individuals in order to provide notification. We recently completed this time-intensive process and is now providing final notice.

The types of information that may have been present in the impacted email account during the event varies by individual and could have included: full name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, health insurance information, and medical information, including treatment and diagnosis information.

We take this event and information security very seriously. Upon learning of this event, we promptly commenced an investigation and took remediation actions. As part of our ongoing commitment to the privacy of information in their care, we are reviewing our policies, procedures, and processes to reduce the likelihood of a similar future event. We also reported the event to appropriate governmental agencies, including the FBI and HHS.

As a precautionary measure, individuals are encouraged to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing account statements, credit reports, and explanation of benefits forms for unusual activity and to detect errors. Any suspicious activity should be reported promptly to your health care provider, insurance company, or financial institution. . Additional information and resources can be found below in the Steps You Can Take to Help Protect Personal Information.

If you have additional questions, please call our toll-free assistance line at 1-833-931-7233, Monday through Friday from 9 am – 9 pm ET, excluding U.S. holidays. You may also write to Community Dental at 190 Park Avenue, Portland, Maine 04102.

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 a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Consumers may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of their 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 one-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 consumers are the victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any 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 a consumer’s name without consent. Consumers should be aware, however, that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in their credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application they make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on their credit report. To request a credit freeze, individuals may need to provide some or all of the following information:

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 they are a victim of identity theft.

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

Equifax
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/
888-298-0045
Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069
Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

Experian
https://www.experian.com/help/
888-397-3742
Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013
Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion
https://www.transunion.com/credit-help
1-800-916-8800
TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect your personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or their state attorney general. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 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. Consumers can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Consumers have the right to file a police report if they ever experience identity theft or fraud. To file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, consumers will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and the relevant state attorney general. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.

For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov