Notice of Data Event
Newport Harbor Pathology Medical Group, Inc. Notice of Data Incident
A recent data incident involving Newport Harbor Pathology Medical Group, Inc. d/b/a Orange County Medical Group Pathology d/b/a Mission Laguna Pathology Medical Group d/b/a Barr Dermatopathology (“NHPMG”) may affect the security of information related to certain NHPMG patients who received pathology services. We are providing our patients with information about the event, our response, and additional measures they can take to help protect their information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.
What Happened? On November 11, 2024, we became aware of unauthorized activity within a portion of our environment and immediately took steps to respond to and investigate the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized actor potentially viewed and copied certain information stored within NHPMG’s systems between October 8, 2024 and November 11, 2024. We began notifying potentially impacted individuals on December 6, 2024, and arecurrently conducting a detailed review of the records stored in the impacted systems to determine the exact information affected and to whom the information relates. This review is ongoing.
What Information Was Involved? To date, the investigation determined that the types of information that may be impacted include: name, Social Security number, date of birth, address, diagnosis, pathology test results (diagnosis), medical record number, driver’s license numbers, unique or other government issued identification numbers and health insurance information. At this time, we are unaware of any identity theft or fraud in relation to this event.
What We Are Doing. Along with providing the highest quality patient care, the confidentiality, privacy, and security of information within NHPMG’s systems is among our highest priorities. Upon discovering this event, we promptly took steps to investigate the incident, assess the security of our systems, and notify potentially affected individuals. As part of our ongoing commitment to the privacy of personal information in our care, we are working to review and further enhance the protections within our systems. We also notified law enforcement and government regulators where required.
What You Can Do. NHPMG is providing information on steps individuals may take to better protect their personal information from misuse. Specifically, NHPMG encourages its patients to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing their account statements and explanations of benefits, and monitoring their free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. 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 that direct a business to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. Victim of identity theft are entitled to an extended, 7-year fraud alert. Consumers also 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. 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. Should consumers wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, they may contact the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax—www.equifax.com and 1-888-298-0045; Experian—www.experian.com and 1-888-397-3742; TransUnion—www.transunion.com and 1-800-916-8800. Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect their 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 Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261.
For More Information. Individuals with questions regarding this event may call
· Orange County Pathology Medical Group: Heather Pepper at 805 W. La Veta Avenue, Ste. 104 Orange, CA 92868 | (866) 228-3521 toll-free Monday through Friday 9 am – 5 pm PST, excluding major U.S. holidays.
· Barr Dermatopathology Joanna Ancelet at 15375 Barranca Pkwy, Ste F101, Irvine, CA, 92618 | (866) 228-3521 toll-free Monday through Friday 9 am – 5 pm PST, excluding major U.S. holidays.
· Mission Laguna Pathology Medical Group Joanna Ancelet at 15375 Barranca Pkwy, Ste F101, Irvine, CA, 92618 | (866) 228-3521 toll-free Monday through Friday 9 am – 5 pm PST, excluding major U.S. holidays.
or email us at DataEvent@ocpath.com