Notice of Security Incident

We are sorry to inform you that we have experienced an unauthorized cyber incident that may affect some of your information. Below, you will find information that provides you with details about the incident and resources to help protect your information from possible misuse if you determine it is appropriate to do so.

What happened

On August 26, 2024, Axis detected irregular activity within our computer network. Upon discovery, we immediately took steps to contain the incident and launched an investigation to determine the nature and scope of the situation. We determined that between July 9, 2024, and September 4, 2024, an unknown, unauthorized cybercriminal gained access to certain computer systems and accessed or acquired data stored on those computer systems.

We know that the cybercriminal posted files from our network on the Dark Web. We are in the process of investigating the full nature and scope of the information posted, but it appears the files include patient and employee information.

We will send a written notice to all patients whose information was impacted.

Axis takes this incident and information security very seriously. As part of our ongoing commitment to information security, we continue to review our policies and procedures and implement additional security measures to further protect against similar incidents in the future.

We encourage you to remain vigilant against identity theft and fraud by reviewing your accounts for suspicious activity related to using your information. Below, you can find information about obtaining a free copy of your credit report, protecting against potential identity theft and fraud, and other resources available.

We understand that you may have questions that are not addressed here. If you have additional questions or need assistance, please emailus@axishealthsystem.org

Steps You Can Take To Help Protect Personal Information

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 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 consumers are the victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any 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 a consumer’s name without consent. However, 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. To request a credit freeze, individuals may need to provide some or all of 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 they are a victim of identity theft.

Should consumers wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Individuals 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 Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 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. Individuals can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Individuals have the right to file a police report if they ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, individuals will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and their state Attorney General. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.