Notice of Data Event

Word & Brown Insurance Administrators, Inc. (“Word & Brown”) is providing notice of an event, on behalf of its insurance provider clients, that may affect certain personal information. We would like to share information about the event, our response, and resources available including steps individuals may take to help protect their information, should they feel it is appropriate to do so.

What Happened? On October 23, 2024, Word & Brown identified suspicious activity related to an employee’s workstation. In response, we took steps to secure the workstation, and promptly began an investigation to determine what occurred. The investigation determined that on or around October 23, 2024, an unauthorized individual gained access to the employee’s workstation and, during that time, copied files from the system without authorization.

As a result of that determination, Word & Brown initiated a comprehensive review of the data to determine what type of information was present and to whom it relates. Word & Brown has notified its clients and is working with them to notify potentially impacted individuals.

What Information Was Involved? The information present in the reviewed files differs by individual, but may include: name, Social Security number, date of birth, age, address, email address, gender, financial account number, tax payer identification number, medical plan type, and health insurance information, including billing information.

What Word & Brown Is Doing. In response to this event, Word & Brown dedicated significant resources to confirm the security of its network, conducted a comprehensive investigation and completed a detailed review of the relevant files. Word & Brown notified its potentially affected clients and is working with them to provide notice to potentially impacted individuals. As part of its ongoing commitment to the security of information in its care, Word & Brown is also reviewing its existing policies and procedures and will continue to enhance its existing security tools. Word & Brown also took steps to report this event to relevant state and federal regulators, as required by law.

What You Can Do. Individuals who may be affected are encouraged to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing account statements and monitoring free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Individuals may also review the “Steps Individuals Can Take To Help Protect Personal Information” section below.

For More Information. Word & Brown understands individuals may have questions about this event. Word & Brown has established a dedicated assistance line at 866-251-4718 (toll-free), which is available between 8:00am and 6:00pm PST, Monday through Friday to answer questions. You can also email us at compliance@wordandbrown.com.
 

Steps Individuals Can Take To Help Protect Personal Information
 

Monitor Relevant Accounts

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 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 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. However, consumers should be aware 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:

Additional Information

Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect their 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 More Information. Word & Brown understands individuals may have questions about this incident. It has established a dedicated assistance line at 866-251-4718 (toll-free), which is available between 8:00am and 6:00pm PST, Monday through Friday. You can also email us at compliance@wordandbrown.com.