The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (“HACLA”) is providing notice of an incident that may affect the privacy of personal information.
NOTICE OF DATA SECURITY EVENT
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (“HACLA”) is providing notice of an incident that may
affect the privacy of personal information. This notification provides details of the incident, our response,
and resources available to you to help protect your information from possible misuse, should you feel it is
appropriate to do so.
What Happened? On December 31, 2022, HACLA discovered encrypted files on certain computer
systems. HACLA learned that it had been the victim of a complex cyber-attack. HACLA immediately shut
down its servers and launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party forensic specialists to
determine the nature and scope of the incident. The forensic investigation determined there was
unauthorized access to certain servers between January 15, 2022 through December 31, 2022. HACLA
immediately undertook a comprehensive review of all data contained on its systems that may have been the
subject of any unauthorized access or acquisition. On February 13, 2023, HACLA completed this review
and determined that the impacted systems contained certain personal information.
What Information Was Involved? While the specific data elements vary for each potentially affected
individual, the scope of information potentially involved includes an individual’s name, Social Security
number, date of birth, passport number, driver’s license number or state identification number, tax
identification number, military identification number, government issued identification number,
credit/debit card number, financial account number, health insurance information, and medical information.
What We Are Doing. HACLA mailed notice letters to individuals for whom they have valid mailing
addresses whose protected information was contained in the potentially impacted files. HACLA takes the
confidentiality, privacy, and security of information in its care seriously. Upon discovery, HACLA
immediately commenced an investigation to confirm the nature and scope of the incident. HACLA reported
this incident to local, state, and federal law enforcement and relevant regulatory agencies. Additionally,
HACLA is taking steps to implement additional safeguards and review policies and procedures relating to
data privacy and security.
What You Can Do. You can review the below Steps You Can Take to Help Protect Personal Information.
We also encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud, to review your
account statements, and to monitor your credit reports for suspicious activity.
For More Information. We understand that you may have questions about this incident that are not
addressed in this notice. If you have additional questions, please call our dedicated assistance line at 1-800-
459-4196 Monday – Friday, 6:00am to 8:00pm PT, Saturday – Sunday, 8:00am to 5:00pm PT. You may
also write to HACLA at Attention: Incident Response, 2600 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057.
HACLA takes the privacy and security of the information in our care seriously. We sincerely regret any
inconvenience or concern this incident may cause you.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT 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 one-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, 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 1-800-916-8800
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.
For California residents: Visit the California Office of Privacy Protection (www.oag.ca.gov/privacy) for
additional information on protection against identity theft.
For Massachusetts residents, Under Massachusetts law, you have the right to obtain any police report filed
in regard to this incident. If you are the victim of identity theft, you also have the right to file a police report
and obtain a copy of it.
For District of Columbia residents, the District of Columbia Attorney General may be contacted at: 400
6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001; 202-727-3400; and www.oag.dc.gov.
For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th
Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-528-8662 or 1-888-743-0023; and www.oag.state.md.us.
For New Mexico residents, you have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be
told if information in your credit file has been used against you, the right to know what is in your credit file,
the right to ask for your credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further,
pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus 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 credit reports to be provided to
employers; you may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance you get based on information in your
credit report; and you may seek damages from the violator. You may have additional rights under the Fair
Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active duty military personnel have
specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We encourage you to review your rights
pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing to:
Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20580.
For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney
General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov/.
For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service
Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.
For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street,
Providence, RI 02903; www.riag.ri.gov; and 1-401-274-4400. Under Rhode Island law, you have the right
to obtain any police report filed in regard to this incident.
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (“HACLA”) is providing notice of an incident that may
affect the privacy of personal information. This notification provides details of the incident, our response,
and resources available to you to help protect your information from possible misuse, should you feel it is
appropriate to do so.
What Happened? On December 31, 2022, HACLA discovered encrypted files on certain computer
systems. HACLA learned that it had been the victim of a complex cyber-attack. HACLA immediately shut
down its servers and launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party forensic specialists to
determine the nature and scope of the incident. The forensic investigation determined there was
unauthorized access to certain servers between January 15, 2022 through December 31, 2022. HACLA
immediately undertook a comprehensive review of all data contained on its systems that may have been the
subject of any unauthorized access or acquisition. On February 13, 2023, HACLA completed this review
and determined that the impacted systems contained certain personal information.
What Information Was Involved? While the specific data elements vary for each potentially affected
individual, the scope of information potentially involved includes an individual’s name, Social Security
number, date of birth, passport number, driver’s license number or state identification number, tax
identification number, military identification number, government issued identification number,
credit/debit card number, financial account number, health insurance information, and medical information.
What We Are Doing. HACLA mailed notice letters to individuals for whom they have valid mailing
addresses whose protected information was contained in the potentially impacted files. HACLA takes the
confidentiality, privacy, and security of information in its care seriously. Upon discovery, HACLA
immediately commenced an investigation to confirm the nature and scope of the incident. HACLA reported
this incident to local, state, and federal law enforcement and relevant regulatory agencies. Additionally,
HACLA is taking steps to implement additional safeguards and review policies and procedures relating to
data privacy and security.
What You Can Do. You can review the below Steps You Can Take to Help Protect Personal Information.
We also encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud, to review your
account statements, and to monitor your credit reports for suspicious activity.
For More Information. We understand that you may have questions about this incident that are not
addressed in this notice. If you have additional questions, please call our dedicated assistance line at 1-800-
459-4196 Monday – Friday, 6:00am to 8:00pm PT, Saturday – Sunday, 8:00am to 5:00pm PT. You may
also write to HACLA at Attention: Incident Response, 2600 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057.
HACLA takes the privacy and security of the information in our care seriously. We sincerely regret any
inconvenience or concern this incident may cause you.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT 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 one-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, 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 1-800-916-8800
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.
For California residents: Visit the California Office of Privacy Protection (www.oag.ca.gov/privacy) for
additional information on protection against identity theft.
For Massachusetts residents, Under Massachusetts law, you have the right to obtain any police report filed
in regard to this incident. If you are the victim of identity theft, you also have the right to file a police report
and obtain a copy of it.
For District of Columbia residents, the District of Columbia Attorney General may be contacted at: 400
6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001; 202-727-3400; and www.oag.dc.gov.
For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th
Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-528-8662 or 1-888-743-0023; and www.oag.state.md.us.
For New Mexico residents, you have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be
told if information in your credit file has been used against you, the right to know what is in your credit file,
the right to ask for your credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further,
pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus 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 credit reports to be provided to
employers; you may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance you get based on information in your
credit report; and you may seek damages from the violator. You may have additional rights under the Fair
Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active duty military personnel have
specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We encourage you to review your rights
pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing to:
Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20580.
For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney
General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov/.
For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service
Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.
For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street,
Providence, RI 02903; www.riag.ri.gov; and 1-401-274-4400. Under Rhode Island law, you have the right
to obtain any police report filed in regard to this incident.
