In addition to the changes to our work passwords, we would encourage employees to consider changing passwords for accounts you may regularly access from work computers, such as Gmail, Amazon, Facebook, or your personal bank or credit card accounts, and any other passwords that you have not changed recently. We also encourage implementation of multi-factor/two-factor authentication whenever possible. Also, as many people often use the same password for many accounts, we are also encouraging you to take this opportunity to change the passwords for any personal accounts which would share the same or similar credentials as other accounts, including accounts accessed from company devices. 

Be mindful that any email you receive may be fraudulent, and could come from a criminal. Always think twice before opening any attachments or clicking on links that you are not expecting to receive. If you see anything suspicious, please do not access it, and let our IT department know immediately. That includes any messages to your work email account, as well as personal accounts.

We encourage all employees to monitor your bank, credit card and other financial accounts for any suspicious activity, and to consider placing freezes or holds when appropriate.

You should also monitor your credit report for any suspicious activity. 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. 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 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 you are a victim of identity theft.

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