Notification of Data Breach

Updated: March 18, 2024

Newton Public Schools is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal information we maintain. We are making individuals aware of an incident that may affect the privacy of certain individuals’ information. We are providing notice of the incident so that potentially affected individuals may take steps to protect their information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.

What Happened? On or around March 28, 2023, Newton Public Schools detected suspicious activity on its network. After discovering this, Newton Public Schools quickly took steps to evaluate and ensure the security of its systems and operations. Further, Newton Public Schools immediately engaged third-party independent cybersecurity experts to conduct an investigation into the incident. 

Our investigation determined that an unauthorized actor accessed our systems on March 23, 2023, and subsequently obtained some information. We have been in the process of conducting an exhaustive review to identify the potentially impacted individuals whose personal information was included within the files that may have been accessed or removed from our network by an unauthorized actor as a result of the incident. This process concluded on February 19, 2024. To date, we have no evidence of financial fraud or identity theft arising out of the incident. Out of an abundance of caution, we are providing notice of the incident to individuals whose information was potentially impacted and explaining the services we are making available.

What Information Was Involved? The personal information contained within the impacted data included first and last name, Social Security number, financial account information, including financial account number and/or routing number, credit and/or debit card number, security code, expiration date, and pin, passport number, driver’s license or state ID number, username and password, date of birth, medical information, and/or health insurance information.

What We Are Doing. The security and privacy of the information contained within our systems is a top priority for us. In response to this incident, we took immediate steps to secure our systems and engaged third-party forensic experts to assist in the investigation. Further, we are implementing additional cybersecurity safeguards, as needed, enhancing our employee cybersecurity training, and improving our cybersecurity policies, procedures, and protocols to help minimize the likelihood of this type of incident occurring again. 

How Will Individuals Know If They Are Affected By This Incident? Newton Public Schools is providing notice to individuals whose information was determined to be in the affected files in accordance with our legal obligations, to the best of our ability and to the extent we have valid mailing addresses. If an individual does not receive a letter but would like to know if they are affected, they may call 1-833-461-1866. 

For More Information. For individuals seeking more information or who have questions, please call 1-833-461-1866.

What You Can Do.  We encourage individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account statements, explanation of benefits forms, and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Under U.S. law individuals are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Individuals may also contact the three major credit bureaus directly to request a free copy of their credit report, place a fraud alert, or a security freeze. Contact information for the credit bureaus is below:

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. 

 

Equifax

P.O. Box 105069

Atlanta, GA 30348-5069

https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-fraud-alerts/ 

(800) 525-6285

Experian 

P.O. Box 9554

Allen, TX 75013

https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html

(888) 397-3742

TransUnion

Fraud Victim Assistance Department

P.O. Box 2000

Chester, PA 19016-2000

https://www.transunion.com/fraud-alerts 

(800) 680-7289

Consider 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:

 

Equifax Security Freeze

P.O. Box 105788

Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/   

(888) 298-0045 

Experian Security Freeze

P.O. Box 9554

Allen, TX 75013

http://experian.com/freeze

(888) 397-3742

TransUnion Security Freeze

P.O. Box 160

Woodlyn, PA 19094

https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze

(888) 909-8872

 

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 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.

If you do place a security freeze prior to enrolling in any credit monitoring service, 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. 

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.

Protecting Your Medical Information.

The following practices can provide additional safeguards to protect against 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. 

Iowa Residents: You may contact law enforcement or the Iowa Attorney General’s Office to report suspected incidents of identity Theft: Office of the Attorney General of Iowa, Consumer Protection Division, Hoover State Office Building, 1305 East Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov, Telephone: 515-281-5164.

 

Maryland Residents: You may obtain information about avoiding identity theft from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General of Maryland, Consumer Protection Division, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov, Telephone: 888-743-0023.

New York Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the New York Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; https://ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds-bureau/identity-theft; Telephone: 800-771-7755.

North Carolina Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General of North Carolina, Consumer Protection Division, 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001, www.ncdoj.gov/, Telephone: 877-566-7226 (Toll-free within North Carolina), 919-716-6000.

Oregon Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the Oregon Attorney General’s Office: Oregon Department of Justice, 1162 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 97301-4096, www.doj.state.or.us/, Telephone: 877-877-9392.

New Mexico Residents: You have rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). These include, among others, the right to know what is in your file; to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information; and to have consumer reporting agencies correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information. For more information about the FCRA, please visit www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf or www.ftc.gov.

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 consumers’ files is limited; consumers must give consent for credit reports to be provided to employers; consumers may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance based on information in their credit report; and consumers may seek damages from violators. Consumers 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 consumers to review their rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.

In Addition, New Mexico Consumers Have the Right to Obtain a Security Freeze or Submit a Declaration of Removal 

As noted above, you may obtain a security freeze on your credit report to protect your privacy and ensure that credit is not granted in your name without your knowledge. You may submit a declaration of removal to remove information placed in your credit report as a result of being a victim of identity theft. You have a right to place a security freeze on your credit report or submit a declaration of removal pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting and Identity Security Act.