Notice of Data Security Event

November 6, 2024 – Orthopedics Rhode Island, Inc. (“Ortho RI”) recently discovered a data event that may have impacted the privacy of information related to certain individuals. This notice provides details of the event, Ortho RI’s response, and steps individuals may take to help protect their personal information should they feel it is appropriate to do so.

On September 7, 2024, Ortho RI identified suspicious activity on its network, and immediately took steps to secure our systems and initiated an investigation into the nature and scope of the activity. The investigation determined that Ortho RI’s network was subject to a data security event between September 4, 2023, and September 8, 2024. While Ortho RI has no evidence of misuse of the any information or fraudulent activity as a result of this event, it is notifying individuals potentially impacted out of an abundance of caution.

The types of information that may have been present on the impacted systems includes name, address, date of birth, billing and claims information, health insurance claims information, and medical information including diagnosis, medications, test results, x-ray images and other treatment information. Please note that the specific type of information may vary for each individual.

Ortho RI is notifying potentially affected individuals by this media release and by mailing letters to individuals. Ortho RI is also notifying appropriate state and federal regulators. For individuals seeking additional information regarding this event, a toll-free assistance line has been established. Individuals may call the assistance line at 888-458-5613 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 pm, Eastern time, Monday through Friday, excluding major U.S. holidays.

As a precautionary measure, Ortho RI encourages potentially affected individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft by reviewing account statements, credit reports, and explanations of benefits for unusual activity and to detect errors. Any suspicious activity should be promptly reported to their insurance company, health care provider, or financial institution.

Additionally, 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:

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.