Notice of Data Security Incident

 

January 7, 2024

 

Notice of Data Security Incident

 

We are posting this notice to provide important information regarding a recent security incident involving personal information maintained by The City of Noblesville.

On or about November 22, 2024, The City of Noblesville detected an intrusion to its network. Immediately upon detecting this activity, we took steps to mitigate the threat, including taking certain systems offline. We also quickly engaged professionals experienced in handling these types of incidents to assist us with an investigation and to assess the full scope of information impacted. The City of Noblesville has notified and is cooperating with law enforcement in connection with our ongoing forensic investigation. On November 27, 2024, the investigation revealed that personal information was accessed and acquired by an unauthorized party as a result of the intrusion.

The investigation is ongoing, including with respect to identifying specific persons impacted and the type of data that was impacted. We will notify all known impacted individuals as quickly as possible, and in accordance with applicable laws.

We appreciate your patience while we conduct our investigation. We wish we could provide you more information about the data that was impacted, but we do not have that insight at this time. Out of an abundance of caution, individuals are encouraged to take steps to protect themselves against identity fraud, including placing a fraud alert/security freeze on their credit files, obtaining free credit reports, and remaining vigilant in reviewing financial account statements and credit reports for fraudulent or irregular activity on a regular basis.

 

The City of Noblesville takes this matter seriously. We continually evaluate and modify our practices and internal controls to enhance the security and privacy of the information we maintain, and we are taking steps to mitigate the risk to persons impacted by this incident.

 

If you have any questions regarding this incident, please call our dedicated and confidential toll-free response line at (877) 721-1791. This response line is staffed with professionals familiar with this incident and knowledgeable on what you can do to protect against misuse of your information. The response line is available 9:00am to 9:00pm ET, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

 

The privacy and security of the personal information we maintain is of the utmost importance to us, and we sincerely regret any inconvenience this incident may cause you.

 

Sincerely,

The City of Noblesville

 

  

 

Steps Individuals Can Take to Protect Personal Information

1.         Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File.

 

We recommend that you place an initial one-year “fraud alert” on your credit files, at no charge. A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you personally before they open any new accounts. To place a fraud alert, call any one of the three major credit bureaus at the numbers listed below. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, they will notify the others.

 

Equifax P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-fraud-alerts/  (800) 525-6285

Experian P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html (888) 397-3742

TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Department P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016-2000 https://www.transunion.com/fraud-alerts (800) 680-7289

 

2.         Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit File.

 

If you are very concerned about becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, you may request a “security freeze” be placed on your credit file, at no charge. A security freeze prohibits, with certain specific exceptions, the consumer reporting agencies from releasing your credit report or any information from it without your express authorization. You may place a security freeze on your credit report by contacting all three nationwide credit reporting companies at the numbers below and following the stated directions or by sending a request in writing, by mail, to all three credit reporting companies:

 

Equifax Security Freeze        P.O. Box 105788          Atlanta, GA 30348   https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ (800) 349-9960 (888) 298-0045

Experian Security Freeze     P.O. Box 9554           Allen, TX 75013 http://experian.com/freeze (888) 397-3742

TransUnion Security Freeze P.O. Box 160 Woodlyn, PA 19094 https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze  (888) 909-8872

 

 

In order to place the security freeze, you’ll need to supply your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number and other personal information. After receiving your freeze request, each credit reporting company will send you a confirmation letter containing a unique PIN (personal identification number) or password. Keep the PIN or password in a safe place. You will need it if you choose to lift the freeze.

 

3.         Obtaining a Free Credit Report.

 

Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the above three major nationwide credit reporting companies. Call 1-877-322-8228 or request your free credit reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com. Once you receive your credit reports, review them for discrepancies. Identify any accounts you did not open or inquiries from creditors that you did not authorize. Verify all information is correct. If you have questions or notice incorrect information, contact the credit reporting company.

 

4.         Additional Helpful Resources.

 

Even if you do not find any suspicious activity on your initial credit reports, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you check your credit reports periodically. Checking your credit report periodically can help you spot problems and address them quickly.

 

If you find suspicious activity on your credit reports or have reason to believe your information is being misused, call your local law enforcement agency and file a police report. Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report, as many creditors will want the information it contains to absolve you of the fraudulent debts. You may also file a complaint with the FTC by contacting them on the web at www.ftc.gov/idtheft, by phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338), or by mail at Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. Your complaint will be added to the FTC’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, where it will be accessible to law enforcement for their investigations. In addition, you may obtain information from the FTC about fraud alerts and security freezes.

 

If this notice letter states that your financial account information and/or credit or debit card information was impacted, we recommend that you contact your financial institution to inquire about steps to take to protect your account, including whether you should close your account or obtain a new account number.

 

If your personal information has been used to file a false tax return, to open an account or to attempt to open an account in your name or to commit fraud or other crimes against you, you may file a police report in the city in which you currently reside.