North Orange County Community College District (“NOCCCD”) is issuing notice of a recent potential data breach
NOTICE OF DATA BREACH
North Orange County Community College District (“NOCCCD”) is issuing notice of a recent potential data breach that
may affect the privacy of information relating to current and former patients of the Cypress College on-campus Dental
Hygiene Clinic. While we are unaware of any misuse of patient information at this time, we are providing information about
the event, the response to this event, and steps affected individuals may take to better protect against the possibility of
identity theft and fraud, should affected individuals feel it is necessary to do so.
What Happened? On January 10, 2022, NOCCCD became aware of suspicious activity on Cypress College’s network.
We began investigating the activity with the assistance of outside computer forensic specialists to determine the nature and
scope of the incident. We have learned there was unauthorized access to certain systems between approximately January 7
and January 10, 2022, and that files containing sensitive information for Dental Hygiene Clinic patients were rendered
inaccessible and unusable. To date, NOCCCD has been unable to determine whether any Dental Hygiene Clinic patient data
was actually viewed or taken by an unauthorized individual, but because we cannot rule out that risk we are providing this
notice in an abundance of caution.
What Information Was Involved? While the specific types of information at risk may vary by patient, they could include
name, driver’s license number, and dental hygiene treatment records.
What We Are Doing. Information security is among NOCCCD’s and the Dental Hygiene Clinic’s highest priorities, and
we have strict security measures in place to protect information in our care. Upon becoming aware of this incident, we
immediately took steps to confirm the security of our systems, including the deployment of an advanced threat protection
and monitoring tool. Additionally, we have implemented cybersecurity measures, such as multi-factor authentication, to
further protect against similar incidents moving forward. We reported this incident to law enforcement and are cooperating
with their investigation. We are notifying impacted individuals, including you, so that you may take steps to best protect
your information, should you feel it is appropriate to do so. We are also reporting to regulatory authorities and the major
consumer reporting bureaus, as required.
What You Can Do. We encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your
account statements and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Please also review
the information contained in the enclosed “Steps You Can Take to Protect Help Your Personal Information.”
For More Information. We understand that you may have questions about this incident that are not addressed in this
posting. If you have additional questions, please call 1-833-783-1440 between the hours of 6 am to 6 pm PT Monday through
Friday. We take this incident very seriously and sincerely regret any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause you.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
Monitor Your 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 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 credit freeze, you will need to
provide 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 you are a victim of identity theft.
Should you wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:
Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/creditreport-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/
https://www.transunion.com/credithelp
1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-833-395-6938
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
Additional Information
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.
North Orange County Community College District (“NOCCCD”) is issuing notice of a recent potential data breach that
may affect the privacy of information relating to current and former patients of the Cypress College on-campus Dental
Hygiene Clinic. While we are unaware of any misuse of patient information at this time, we are providing information about
the event, the response to this event, and steps affected individuals may take to better protect against the possibility of
identity theft and fraud, should affected individuals feel it is necessary to do so.
What Happened? On January 10, 2022, NOCCCD became aware of suspicious activity on Cypress College’s network.
We began investigating the activity with the assistance of outside computer forensic specialists to determine the nature and
scope of the incident. We have learned there was unauthorized access to certain systems between approximately January 7
and January 10, 2022, and that files containing sensitive information for Dental Hygiene Clinic patients were rendered
inaccessible and unusable. To date, NOCCCD has been unable to determine whether any Dental Hygiene Clinic patient data
was actually viewed or taken by an unauthorized individual, but because we cannot rule out that risk we are providing this
notice in an abundance of caution.
What Information Was Involved? While the specific types of information at risk may vary by patient, they could include
name, driver’s license number, and dental hygiene treatment records.
What We Are Doing. Information security is among NOCCCD’s and the Dental Hygiene Clinic’s highest priorities, and
we have strict security measures in place to protect information in our care. Upon becoming aware of this incident, we
immediately took steps to confirm the security of our systems, including the deployment of an advanced threat protection
and monitoring tool. Additionally, we have implemented cybersecurity measures, such as multi-factor authentication, to
further protect against similar incidents moving forward. We reported this incident to law enforcement and are cooperating
with their investigation. We are notifying impacted individuals, including you, so that you may take steps to best protect
your information, should you feel it is appropriate to do so. We are also reporting to regulatory authorities and the major
consumer reporting bureaus, as required.
What You Can Do. We encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your
account statements and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Please also review
the information contained in the enclosed “Steps You Can Take to Protect Help Your Personal Information.”
For More Information. We understand that you may have questions about this incident that are not addressed in this
posting. If you have additional questions, please call 1-833-783-1440 between the hours of 6 am to 6 pm PT Monday through
Friday. We take this incident very seriously and sincerely regret any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause you.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
Monitor Your 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 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 credit freeze, you will need to
provide 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 you are a victim of identity theft.
Should you wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:
Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/creditreport-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/
https://www.transunion.com/credithelp
1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-833-395-6938
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
Additional Information
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.
