OU Health Provides Notice of Data Security Incident

The privacy and security of protected health information is of the utmost importance to OU Medicine, Inc. d/b/a OU Health (“OU Health”). This notice contains information regarding a data security incident that involved certain protected health information collected and maintained by OU Health. OU Health is providing individuals with information about the incident and the services being made available to those who are involved. OU Health continues to take significant measures to protect personal information.

OU Health learned that an OU Health employee laptop was stolen on December 26, 2022. The employee’s OU Health emails were contained within that stolen laptop. Upon learning of this issue, OU Health immediately launched an investigation in consultation with outside cybersecurity professionals who regularly investigate and analyze these types of incidents. OU Health also notified law enforcement. OU Health devoted considerable time and effort to assess the extent and scope of the incident and to determine what information may have been accessible to the unauthorized users. Following this investigation, OU Health discovered on January 17, 2023 that data potentially accessed and acquired by the unauthorized party may have contained protected health information, including names along with one or more of the following: Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, dates of birth, medical record numbers, account numbers, provider names, dates of service, diagnoses, treatment information, and/or health insurance information.

OU Health was not able to provide confirmation that the stolen laptop was not compromised, therefore out of an abundance of caution, OU Health notified individuals whose information was potentially involved. OU Health mailed notification to all individuals it has contact information for on file, via U.S. mail on March 17, 2023. Notified individuals may take steps to protect themselves including placing a fraud alert/security freeze on their credit files, obtaining free credit reports, and remaining vigilant in reviewing financial account statements, explanation of benefits statements, and credit reports for fraudulent or irregular activity on a regular basis. In addition, individuals who may have had their Social Security number involved are encouraged to enroll in complimentary credit monitoring services provided in the notification letter. See “Other Important Information” section below for additional safeguard details.

Individuals who have questions or need additional information regarding this incident or to determine if they are notified may reach out to the toll-free response line that OU Health has set up to respond to questions at 877-506-0181. This response line is available Monday through Friday 9 am – 9 pm Eastern (excluding major U.S. holidays).

– OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION –

1. Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File.

You may place an initial one-year “Fraud Alert” on your credit files, at no charge. A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you personally before they open any new accounts. To place a fraud alert, call any one of the three major credit bureaus at the numbers listed below. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, they will notify the others.

2. Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File.

You may place an initial one-year “fraud alert” on your credit files, at no charge. A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you personally before they open any new accounts. To place a fraud alert, call any one of the three major credit bureaus at the numbers listed below. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, they will notify the others.

3. Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit File.

If you are very concerned about becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, you may request a “security freeze” be placed on your credit file, at no charge. A security freeze prohibits, with certain specific exceptions, the consumer reporting agencies from releasing your credit report or any information from it without your express authorization. You may place a security freeze on your credit report by contacting all three nationwide credit reporting companies at the numbers below and following the stated directions or by sending a request in writing, by mail, to all three credit reporting companies:

In order to place the security freeze, 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 reporting company will send you a confirmation letter containing 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.

If you do place a security freeze prior to enrolling in the credit monitoring service as described above, you will need to remove the freeze in order to sign up for the credit monitoring service. After you sign up for the credit monitoring service, you may refreeze your credit file.

4. Obtaining a Free Credit Report.

Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the above three major nationwide credit reporting companies. Call 1-877-322-8228 or request your free credit reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com. Once you receive your credit reports, review them for discrepancies. Identify any accounts you did not open or inquiries from creditors that you did not authorize. Verify all information is correct. If you have questions or notice incorrect information, contact the credit reporting company.

5. Additional Helpful Resources.

Even if you do not find any suspicious activity on your initial credit reports, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you check your credit reports periodically. Checking your credit report periodically can help you spot problems and address them quickly.

If you find suspicious activity on your credit reports or have reason to believe your information is being misused, call your local law enforcement agency and file a police report. Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report, as many creditors will want the information it contains to absolve you of the fraudulent debts. You may also file a complaint with the FTC by contacting them on the web at www.ftc.gov/idtheft, by phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338), or by mail at Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. Your complaint will be added to the FTC’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, where it will be accessible to law enforcement for their investigations. In addition, you may obtain information from the FTC about fraud alerts and security freezes.

If this notice letter states that your financial account information and/or credit or debit card information was impacted, we recommend that you contact your financial institution to inquire about steps to take to protect your account, including whether you should close your account or obtain a new account number.

If your personal information has been used to file a false tax return, to open an account or to attempt to open an account in your name or to commit fraud or other crimes against you, you may file a police report in the city in which you currently reside.

6. Protecting Your Medical Information.

We have no information to date indicating that your medical information involved in this incident was or will be used for any unintended purposes. As a general matter, however, the following practices can help to protect you from medical identity theft.

• Only share your health insurance cards with your health care providers and other family members who are covered under your insurance plan or who help you with your medical care.

• Review your “explanation of benefits statement” which you receive from your health insurance company. Follow up with your insurance company or care provider for any items you do not recognize. If necessary, contact the care provider on the explanation of benefits statement and ask for copies of medical records from the date of the potential access (noted above) to current date.

• Ask your insurance company for a current year-to-date report of all services paid for you as a beneficiary. Follow up with your insurance company or the care provider for any items you do not recognize.