State bar of Georgia, Cyber secruity announcement
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UPDATE: Cybersecurity Incident
As most of our members are aware, a cybersecurity incident occurred in April 2022. We recently completed a comprehensive investigation concerning the unauthorized access to our systems. Upon discovering the incident, we immediately took steps to secure our systems and began an investigation. A cybersecurity firm was engaged to assist. Law enforcement and regulators were notified. This notice explains the incident, measures we have taken, and some steps that you may consider taking in response.
The investigation revealed unauthorized access to our systems. Although we had security protocols and technology in place to help prevent unauthorized access, some of those defenses were evaded. The State Bar determined that the following personal information of its current and former employees as well as some members of the State Bar may have been accessed by an unauthorized person during the incident: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license number, direct deposit information, or name change information.
The State Bar values its relationships with its current and former employees and its members and understands the concern this incident may cause. As a result, we are offering our current and former employees and all of our members complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services through Transunion. These identity protection services include credit bureau monitoring and $1,000,000 in identity theft insurance. These services are completely free to those enrolling in this program and will not hurt their credit score. For more information on the services, including instructions on how to activate the complimentary membership, please call 1-844-565-0052 to receive an enrollment code. Then, use the enrollment code at https://bfs.cyberscout.com/activate. Please note the deadline to enroll is January 31, 2023. Note: You must have established credit to activate the credit monitoring. If you need guidance, Cyberscout will be able to guide you. Additional information about how you may protect your personal information further is provided below.
We have established a dedicated call center to help answer any questions about the incident or how to sign up for credit monitoring and identity protection services. Please call 1-844-565-0052, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (excluding major U.S. holidays) for more information. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant by reviewing account statements and credit reports for any unauthorized activity. If you see charges or activity that you did not authorize, please contact the relevant financial institution or credit bureau reporting the activity immediately.
We sincerely regret any inconvenience or concern this incident may have caused. We take the responsibility to safeguard the information entrusted to us seriously and have enhanced our existing security protocols and technology to help prevent potential unauthorized access to our systems going forward.
Additional Steps You Can Take
We remind you it is always advisable to be vigilant for incidents of fraud or identity theft by reviewing your account statements and free credit reports for any unauthorized activity. You may obtain a copy of your credit report, free of charge, once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. To order your annual free credit report, please visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll free at 1-877-322-8228. Contact information for the three nationwide credit reporting companies is as follows:
Equifax, PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374, www.equifax.com, 1-800-685-1111
Experian, PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013, www.experian.com, 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion, PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016, www.transunion.com, 1-800-916-8800
If you believe you are the victim of identity theft or have reason to believe your personal information has been misused, you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Attorney General’s office in your state. You can obtain information from these sources about steps an individual can take to avoid identity theft as well as information about fraud alerts and security freezes. You also should contact your local law enforcement authorities and file a police report. Obtain a copy of the police report in case you are asked to provide copies to creditors to correct your records. Contact information for the Federal Trade Commission is as follows:
Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580, 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338), www.identitytheft.gov
Fraud Alerts and Credit or Security Freezes
Fraud Alerts
There are two types of general fraud alerts you can place on your credit report to put your creditors on notice that you may be a victim of fraud—an initial alert and an extended alert. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. An initial fraud alert stays on your credit report for one year. You may have an extended alert placed on your credit report if you have already been a victim of identity theft with the appropriate documentary proof. An extended fraud alert stays on your credit report for seven years.
To place a fraud alert on your credit reports, contact one of the nationwide credit bureaus. A fraud alert is free. The credit bureau you contact must tell the other two credit bureaus, and all three will place an alert on their versions of your report.
For those in the military who want to protect their credit while deployed, an Active-Duty Military Fraud Alert lasts for one year and can be renewed for the length of your deployment. The credit bureaus will also take you off their marketing lists for pre-screened credit card offers for two years unless you ask them not to do so.
Credit or Security Freezes
You have the right to put a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, on your credit file, free of charge, which makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. That’s because most creditors need to see your credit report before they approve a new account. If they can’t see your report, they may not extend the credit.
How do I place a freeze on my credit reports?
There is no fee to place or lift a security freeze. Unlike a fraud alert, you must separately place a security freeze on your credit file at each credit reporting company. For information and instructions to place a security freeze, contact each of the credit reporting agencies at the addresses below:
Equifax Security Freeze, PO Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348, www.equifax.com
Experian Security Freeze, PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013, www.experian.com
TransUnion Security Freeze, PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016, www.transunion.com
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 bureau will provide you with 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.
How do I lift a freeze?
A freeze remains in place until you ask the credit bureau to temporarily lift it or remove it altogether. If the request is made online or by phone, a credit bureau must lift a freeze within one hour. If the request is made by mail, then the bureau must lift the freeze no later than three business days after getting your request.
If you opt for a temporary lift because you are applying for credit or a job, and you can find out which credit bureau the business will contact for your file, you can save some time by lifting the freeze only at that particular credit bureau. Otherwise, you need to make the request with all three credit bureaus. The State Bar of Georgia’s main office mailing address is 104 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Its main office telephone number is (404) 527-8700.
Additional information for residents of the following states:
Connecticut
You may contact and obtain information from your state attorney general at:
Connecticut Attorney General’s Office, 165 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06106, 1-860-808-5318, www.ct.gov/ag
District of Columbia
You may contact and obtain information from your attorney general at:
Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, 441 4th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, 1-202-727-3400, oag.dc.gov
Maryland
You may contact and obtain information from your state attorney general at:
Maryland Attorney General’s Office, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, 1-888-743-0023 / 1-410-576-6300, www.oag.state.md.us
Massachusetts
You have the right to file and obtain a copy of a police report. You also have the right to request a security freeze, as described above. You may contact and obtain information from your state attorney general at:
Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108, 1-617-727-8400, www.mass.gov/ago/contact-us.html
New York
You may contact and obtain information from these state agencies:
New York Department of State Division of Consumer Protection, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12231-0001, 518-474-8583 / 1-800-697-1220, www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection; and
New York State Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341, 1-800-771-7755, ag.ny.gov
North Carolina
You may contact and obtain information from your state attorney general at:
North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, 9001 Mail Service Centre, Raleigh, NC 27699, 1-919-716-6000 / 1-877-566-7226, www.ncdoj.gov
Rhode Island
This incident involves approximately 28 individuals in Rhode Island. Under Rhode Island law, you have the right to file and obtain a copy of a police report. You also have the right to request a security freeze, as described above. You may contact and obtain information from your state attorney general at:
Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, 1-401-274-4400, www.riag.ri.gov
A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies. There are many types of consumer reporting agencies, including credit bureaus and specialty agencies (such as agencies that sell information about check writing histories, medical records, and rental history records). Your major rights under the FCRA are summarized below. For more information, including information about additional rights, go to www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore or write to: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20552.
You must be told if information in your file has been used against you.
You have the right to know what is in your file.
You have the right to ask for a credit score.
You have the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information.
Consumer reporting agencies must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information.
Consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information.
Access to your file is limited.
You must give your consent for reports to be provided to employers.
You may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance you get based on information in your credit report.
You have a right to place a “security freeze” on your credit report, which will prohibit a consumer reporting agency from releasing information in your credit report without your express authorization.
You may seek damages from violators.
Identity theft victims and active-duty military personnel have additional rights.
Visiting the Bar?
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104 Marietta St. NW
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA
30303
404-527-8700
800-334-6865
Staff Directory
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About the Bar
Bar Leadership
FAQs
Visit The Bar
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Other Opportunities
Employment Opportunities
Business Opportunities
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Related Sites
www.lawyerslivingwell.org
www.georgiaYLD.org
www.ganeedslawyers.org
www.georgiaLHL.org
www.georgiamocktrial.org
www.theYLDreview.org
www.gapracticeadvisor.org
www.gabarsolo.org
© Copyright 2022 State Bar of Georgia
State Bar of Georgia
search
For the Public
For Lawyers
Our Programs
CLE
Member Directory
First name
ADVANCED SEARCH NEXT SLIDE
Last name
Announcement Detail
UPDATE: Cybersecurity Incident
As most of our members are aware, a cybersecurity incident occurred in April 2022. We recently completed a comprehensive investigation concerning the unauthorized access to our systems. Upon discovering the incident, we immediately took steps to secure our systems and began an investigation. A cybersecurity firm was engaged to assist. Law enforcement and regulators were notified. This notice explains the incident, measures we have taken, and some steps that you may consider taking in response.
The investigation revealed unauthorized access to our systems. Although we had security protocols and technology in place to help prevent unauthorized access, some of those defenses were evaded. The State Bar determined that the following personal information of its current and former employees as well as some members of the State Bar may have been accessed by an unauthorized person during the incident: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license number, direct deposit information, or name change information.
The State Bar values its relationships with its current and former employees and its members and understands the concern this incident may cause. As a result, we are offering our current and former employees and all of our members complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services through Transunion. These identity protection services include credit bureau monitoring and $1,000,000 in identity theft insurance. These services are completely free to those enrolling in this program and will not hurt their credit score. For more information on the services, including instructions on how to activate the complimentary membership, please call 1-844-565-0052 to receive an enrollment code. Then, use the enrollment code at https://bfs.cyberscout.com/activate. Please note the deadline to enroll is January 31, 2023. Note: You must have established credit to activate the credit monitoring. If you need guidance, Cyberscout will be able to guide you. Additional information about how you may protect your personal information further is provided below.
We have established a dedicated call center to help answer any questions about the incident or how to sign up for credit monitoring and identity protection services. Please call 1-844-565-0052, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (excluding major U.S. holidays) for more information. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant by reviewing account statements and credit reports for any unauthorized activity. If you see charges or activity that you did not authorize, please contact the relevant financial institution or credit bureau reporting the activity immediately.
We sincerely regret any inconvenience or concern this incident may have caused. We take the responsibility to safeguard the information entrusted to us seriously and have enhanced our existing security protocols and technology to help prevent potential unauthorized access to our systems going forward.
Additional Steps You Can Take
We remind you it is always advisable to be vigilant for incidents of fraud or identity theft by reviewing your account statements and free credit reports for any unauthorized activity. You may obtain a copy of your credit report, free of charge, once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. To order your annual free credit report, please visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll free at 1-877-322-8228. Contact information for the three nationwide credit reporting companies is as follows:
Equifax, PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374, www.equifax.com, 1-800-685-1111
Experian, PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013, www.experian.com, 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion, PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016, www.transunion.com, 1-800-916-8800
If you believe you are the victim of identity theft or have reason to believe your personal information has been misused, you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Attorney General’s office in your state. You can obtain information from these sources about steps an individual can take to avoid identity theft as well as information about fraud alerts and security freezes. You also should contact your local law enforcement authorities and file a police report. Obtain a copy of the police report in case you are asked to provide copies to creditors to correct your records. Contact information for the Federal Trade Commission is as follows:
Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580, 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338), www.identitytheft.gov
Fraud Alerts and Credit or Security Freezes
Fraud Alerts
There are two types of general fraud alerts you can place on your credit report to put your creditors on notice that you may be a victim of fraud—an initial alert and an extended alert. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. An initial fraud alert stays on your credit report for one year. You may have an extended alert placed on your credit report if you have already been a victim of identity theft with the appropriate documentary proof. An extended fraud alert stays on your credit report for seven years.
To place a fraud alert on your credit reports, contact one of the nationwide credit bureaus. A fraud alert is free. The credit bureau you contact must tell the other two credit bureaus, and all three will place an alert on their versions of your report.
For those in the military who want to protect their credit while deployed, an Active-Duty Military Fraud Alert lasts for one year and can be renewed for the length of your deployment. The credit bureaus will also take you off their marketing lists for pre-screened credit card offers for two years unless you ask them not to do so.
Credit or Security Freezes
You have the right to put a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, on your credit file, free of charge, which makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. That’s because most creditors need to see your credit report before they approve a new account. If they can’t see your report, they may not extend the credit.
How do I place a freeze on my credit reports?
There is no fee to place or lift a security freeze. Unlike a fraud alert, you must separately place a security freeze on your credit file at each credit reporting company. For information and instructions to place a security freeze, contact each of the credit reporting agencies at the addresses below:
Equifax Security Freeze, PO Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348, www.equifax.com
Experian Security Freeze, PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013, www.experian.com
TransUnion Security Freeze, PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016, www.transunion.com
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 bureau will provide you with 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.
How do I lift a freeze?
A freeze remains in place until you ask the credit bureau to temporarily lift it or remove it altogether. If the request is made online or by phone, a credit bureau must lift a freeze within one hour. If the request is made by mail, then the bureau must lift the freeze no later than three business days after getting your request.
If you opt for a temporary lift because you are applying for credit or a job, and you can find out which credit bureau the business will contact for your file, you can save some time by lifting the freeze only at that particular credit bureau. Otherwise, you need to make the request with all three credit bureaus. The State Bar of Georgia’s main office mailing address is 104 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Its main office telephone number is (404) 527-8700.
Additional information for residents of the following states:
Connecticut
You may contact and obtain information from your state attorney general at:
Connecticut Attorney General’s Office, 165 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06106, 1-860-808-5318, www.ct.gov/ag
District of Columbia
You may contact and obtain information from your attorney general at:
Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, 441 4th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, 1-202-727-3400, oag.dc.gov
Maryland
You may contact and obtain information from your state attorney general at:
Maryland Attorney General’s Office, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, 1-888-743-0023 / 1-410-576-6300, www.oag.state.md.us
Massachusetts
You have the right to file and obtain a copy of a police report. You also have the right to request a security freeze, as described above. You may contact and obtain information from your state attorney general at:
Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108, 1-617-727-8400, www.mass.gov/ago/contact-us.html
New York
You may contact and obtain information from these state agencies:
New York Department of State Division of Consumer Protection, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12231-0001, 518-474-8583 / 1-800-697-1220, www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection; and
New York State Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341, 1-800-771-7755, ag.ny.gov
North Carolina
You may contact and obtain information from your state attorney general at:
North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, 9001 Mail Service Centre, Raleigh, NC 27699, 1-919-716-6000 / 1-877-566-7226, www.ncdoj.gov
Rhode Island
This incident involves approximately 28 individuals in Rhode Island. Under Rhode Island law, you have the right to file and obtain a copy of a police report. You also have the right to request a security freeze, as described above. You may contact and obtain information from your state attorney general at:
Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, 1-401-274-4400, www.riag.ri.gov
A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies. There are many types of consumer reporting agencies, including credit bureaus and specialty agencies (such as agencies that sell information about check writing histories, medical records, and rental history records). Your major rights under the FCRA are summarized below. For more information, including information about additional rights, go to www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore or write to: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20552.
You must be told if information in your file has been used against you.
You have the right to know what is in your file.
You have the right to ask for a credit score.
You have the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information.
Consumer reporting agencies must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information.
Consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information.
Access to your file is limited.
You must give your consent for reports to be provided to employers.
You may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance you get based on information in your credit report.
You have a right to place a “security freeze” on your credit report, which will prohibit a consumer reporting agency from releasing information in your credit report without your express authorization.
You may seek damages from violators.
Identity theft victims and active-duty military personnel have additional rights.
Visiting the Bar?
ParkingHotel DiscountsConference Center
footer logo
facebooktwitteryoutube
Enter Keyword, Term, etc
104 Marietta St. NW
Suite 100
Atlanta, GA
30303
404-527-8700
800-334-6865
Staff Directory
About the Bar
About the Bar
Bar Leadership
FAQs
Visit The Bar
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Other Opportunities
Employment Opportunities
Business Opportunities
Law-Related Organizations
Advertise with Us
Related Sites
www.lawyerslivingwell.org
www.georgiaYLD.org
www.ganeedslawyers.org
www.georgiaLHL.org
www.georgiamocktrial.org
www.theYLDreview.org
www.gapracticeadvisor.org
www.gabarsolo.org
© Copyright 2022 State Bar of Georgia
