- By Peggy Penders
- Business & Technology
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Buffalo, NY -- Rochester-based Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and related companies (Lifetime Benefit Solutions, Lifetime Care, Lifetime Health Medical Group, The MedAmerica Companies and Univera Healthcare) announced it was the target of a data breach that may have compromised the personal information of over 10 million people. Many of those people who could be affected are in Upstate New York.Excellus is starting the process of mailing letters to people who may be affected. Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York has advice for those who may have been compromised by the Excellus data breach:
Do not take a "wait and see" approach. You must act quickly. Breaches involving personal information have the potential to be far more detrimental to victims, and the damage can be difficult to repair.
Consider taking a preemptive strike by freezing your credit reports. This will not impact existing credit cards and financial accounts, but will create a roadblock for thieves seeking to create fraudulent accounts using your personal information.
If you know your Social Security number has been compromised, place a fraud alert on your credit reports. While less effective than a freeze, this will provide an extra layer of protection. Click here to learn more about security freezes and fraud alerts.
Take advantage of any free credit monitoring services being offered by Excellus to breach victims. While this is not a preventative measure, this will alert you to new accounts or inquiries using your Social Security number so that you can act quickly to repair the damage.
Vigilance is critical. Regularly check your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com for unauthorized charges or other signs of fraud (NOTE: This is the only free credit report option authorized by the Federal Trade Commission).
For more information and complete step-by-step guidance on repairing the damage caused by identity theft, visit the FTC's identity theft resources. Excellus has also set up a website for people who may be affected at excellusfacts.com.
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