CareTree, Inc. - Notice of Privacy Event
CareTree, Inc (“CareTree”) is announcing a recent security event related to certain current or former CareTree customers’ patients. Although CareTree is unaware of any identity theft or fraud occurring as a result of this event, CareTree is providing information about the event, steps taken since discovering the event, and resources available to individuals to help protect their information from possible misuse, should they feel it is appropriate to do so.
What Happened? On or about August 16, 2023, CareTree became aware of suspicious activity in its CareTree platform. CareTree immediately took steps to secure the platform and minimize any disruption to operations. CareTree launched an investigation into the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined an unauthorized actor gained access to certain information held on that platform, and potentially to certain data, on July 21, 2023.
Following this determination, CareTree began an in-depth process to identify the individuals whose information may have been impacted and reviewed internal CareTree records to identify address information for potentially impacted individuals. This process concluded on October 13, 2023. CareTree is notifying individuals out of an abundance of caution because the investigation determined that certain information relating to those individuals have been accessed or acquired by an unknown unauthorized person.
What Information Was Involved? CareTree’s investigation determined certain limited information was accessed without authorization. Unfortunately, CareTree is unable to confirm the specific information related to individuals because it is no longer available as a result of this incident. This information may include an individual’s name, address, driver’s license, Social Security number, financial account information, date of birth, medical information (including diagnosis, lab results, medications or other treatment information), and/or health insurance information. CareTree is not aware of any attempted or actual misuse of the information.
What We Are Doing. Upon becoming aware of this incident, CareTree immediately took steps to confirm the security of their systems. CareTree is reviewing existing security policies and implemented additional cybersecurity measures to further protect against similar incidents moving forward. CareTree reported this incident to law enforcement and is cooperating with their investigation. CareTree is notifying potentially impacted individuals, including you, so that you may take steps to best protect your information, should you feel it is appropriate to do so. CareTree is also reporting to regulatory authorities, as required.
What You Can Do. CareTree sincerely regrets any inconvenience this event may have caused potentially involved current or former CareTree customers’ patients. CareTree will provide notice of this event to all individuals whose personal information was involved, along with information and steps potentially impacted individuals can take to better protect their information.
For More Information. If you have additional questions, you may contact CareTree toll-free at 855-457-7890, or by mail at 220 Congress Park Drive, Suite 330, Delray Beach, FL 33445.
Additional Information
CareTree encourages all potentially impacted individuals to remain vigilant by reviewing account statements and monitoring free credit reports and Explanation of Benefits for suspicious activity and errors. 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 will need to provide the following information:
Should you wish to place a fraud alert or credit freeze, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:
|
Equifax |
Experian |
TransUnion |
|
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ |
https://www.experian.com/help/ |
https://www.transunion.com/credit-help |
|
888-298-0045 |
1-888-397-3742 |
1-800-916-8800 |
|
Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 |
Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 |
TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 |
|
Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 |
Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 |
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. Please note that in order 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 District of Columbia residents, the District of Columbia Attorney General may be contacted at: 400 6th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001; 202-727-3400; and oag.dc.gov.
For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-576-6300 or 1-888-743-0023; and https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/.
For New Mexico residents, consumers have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be told if information in their credit file has been used against them, the right to know what is in their credit file, the right to ask for their credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information; access to consumers’ files is limited; consumers must give consent for credit reports to be provided to employers; consumers may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance based on information in their credit report; and consumers may seek damages from violators. Consumers may have additional rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active-duty military personnel have specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We encourage consumers to review their rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.
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.
For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.
For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903; www.riag.ri.gov; and 1-401-274-4400. Under Rhode Island law, individuals have the right to obtain any police report filed in regard to this event. The number of Rhode Island residents involved is currently unknown.
