NOTICE OF DATA PRIVACY INCIDENT
Cross Timbers Health Clinics, Inc. d/b/a AccelHealth (“Accel”) is providing notice of a recent incident that may affect the security of information pertaining to individuals, including certain current and former patients and employees. The confidentiality, privacy, and security of information in Accel’s care is one of its highest priorities and Accel takes this incident very seriously. Although Accel has not received any reports of actual or attempted misuse of the impacted personal information, Accel is providing this notice in an abundance of caution.
What Happened? On or about December 15, 2021, Accel discovered it could not access certain files on its servers. Upon discovery of the event, Accel immediately launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party computer forensics specialists. The investigation determined that certain systems had been infected by malware which prevented access to some files on the network. The investigation also determined that certain files within Accel’s network could have been subject to unauthorized access between December 9, 2021, and December 15, 2021. Accel then took steps to conduct a review of the files to ensure we identified all individuals with information potentially at risk, as well as to identify contact information for those individuals. That process was completed on January 14, 2022. Although Accel is unaware of any actual or attempted misuse of individuals’ information, Accel is providing notice of this incident to those individuals whose information was potentially impacted.
What Information Was Involved? The impacted information which may have been impacted varied by individual but included name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license number, financial account information, health insurance information, medical record number, and treatment/diagnosis information. We have no evidence your information was subject to actual or attempted misuse.
What We Are Doing. Accel takes this incident and the security of personal information in our care very seriously. As part of our ongoing commitment to the privacy of information in our care, we are implementing additional technical security measures designed to mitigate recurrence of this type of incident. We are also reviewing and enhancing existing data privacy policies and procedures. As an added precaution, Accel is offering credit monitoring for individuals whose information was impacted.
For More Information. We understand some people may have additional questions concerning this incident. Individuals can direct questions to 1-833-783-1447, and will be available Monday through Friday from 8am to 8pm Central Time.
What You Can Do. Accel encourages you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account statements and explanation of benefit forms, and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Accel apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and remains committed to the privacy and security of all information it maintains.
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:
- Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
- Social Security number;
- Date of birth;
- Addresses for the prior two to five years;
- Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
- A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and
- 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, 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 | 833-395-6938 |
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 |
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.