SOESD

The compromised information at Carruth may include employees’ name, Social Security number, dates of birth, and financial account information. In some cases, it could also include driver’s license number, and for those who may have applied for a hardship loan it could include W-2 information, medical billing information (but not medical records), and tax filings. Carruth reported that if you or others provided them with the personal information of your beneficiaries, their information may also have been affected in this Incident.

SOESD is  working with legal counsel and Carruth to understand the full scope of the breach and to ensure they are taking appropriate steps to mitigate the impact on our employees.

We are providing this FAQ and will continue to update it with the latest information as it becomes available.

Since Carruth has refused to send individual notifications to present and former employees, SOESD is working with data privacy experts to send out individual notifications via mail, which is the preferred method to notify impacted staff.  Those letters should be sent as soon as possible.

Since Carruth was unable to process employee contributions to 403(b) and 457(b) accounts in January, they are returning all funds, and SOESD is working to then distribute the funding to employee 403(b) and 457(b) accounts.

IDX is a leading data incident response services provider that helps protect people who may be affected by data security incidents. Carruth retained IDX to provide complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services to our employees and answer questions you may have about the incident.

Each impacted individual must enroll separately in the services provided by IDX. In order to enroll in the services provided by IDX, you must contact IDX at 877-720-7895 and provide them with information they request.

Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly review your bank accounts, credit card statements, and other financial accounts for any suspicious activity. If you see anything unusual, you can report it to your financial institution immediately.

Check Your Credit Reports: You are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228 to order your free reports.

Consider Placing a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze on your Credit Report: You can place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report to help protect yourself from identity theft. See details below.

Report Any Suspicious Activity: If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.identitytheft.gov or 877-ID-THEFT (877-438-4338). You should also file a police report.

Fraud Alerts and Credit Freezes

• Fraud Alert: A fraud alert notifies creditors to verify your identity before issuing new credit. You can place an initial fraud alert (lasting one year) or an extended fraud alert (lasting seven years) if you are already a victim of identity theft.
• Credit Freeze: A credit freeze prevents credit bureaus from releasing your credit report without your explicit consent. This makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.