Reading Cooperative Bank Notifies Individuals of Data Breach
Reading Cooperative Bank (“RCB”) has been investigating a security incident related to email phishing and has determined that information for certain individuals may have been impacted. We are providing information about the measures RCB has taken in response to this matter and steps individuals can take to help protect against possible misuse of their information.
We take the privacy and security of your data very seriously. RCB engaged third-party experts to assist in the investigation. We have implemented additional cybersecurity safeguards, and we are working closely with our internal and external experts to further enhance the security of our systems.
RCB is in the process of notifying individuals whose data may have been impacted, including through mailing notification letters and other methods. Our notification material will identify resources to help protect their identity. Additionally, RCB is offering individuals whose data may have been impacted complimentary access to Experian IdentityWorksSM for 24 months to help protect their information.
We deeply regret that this email compromise occurred. Financial institutions across the country face constantly evolving cybersecurity threats. For our part, we are working closely with our internal and external experts to enhance the security of our systems.
Additional Information for Individuals whose Information may have been Impacted
If your information may have been impacted, under Massachusetts law, you have the right to obtain any police report filed in regard to this security incident. If you are the victim of identity theft, you also have the right to file a police report and obtain a copy of it. Massachusetts law also allows consumers to place a security freeze on their credit reports. A security freeze prohibits a credit reporting agency from releasing any information from a consumer’s credit report without written authorization. However, please be aware that placing a security freeze on your credit report may delay, interfere with, or prevent the timely approval of any requests you make for new loans, credit mortgages, employment, housing, or other services. Under federal law, you cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze from a credit report.
To place a security freeze on your credit report, you must send a written request to each of the three major consumer reporting agencies: Equifax (www.equifax.com); Experian (www.experian.com); and TransUnion (www.transunion.com) by regular, certified, or overnight mail at the addresses below:
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion Security Freeze
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 160
Woodlyn, PA 19094
In order to request a security freeze, you will need to provide the following information:
- Your full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
- Social Security number;
- Date of birth;
- If you have moved in the past five (5) years, provide the addresses where you have lived over the prior five (5) years;
- Proof of current address such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
- A legible photocopy of a government issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, military identification, etc.);
- If you are a victim of identity theft, include a copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft; and
- If you are not a victim of identity theft, include payment by check, money order, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover only). Do not send cash through the mail.
The credit reporting agencies have three (3) business days after receiving your request to place a security freeze on your credit report. The credit bureaus must also send written confirmation to you within five (5) business days and provide you with a unique personal identification number (PIN) or password, or both that can be used by you to authorize the removal or lifting of the security freeze.
To lift the security freeze in order to allow a specific entity or individual access to your credit report, you must call or send a written request to the credit reporting agencies by mail and include proper identification (name, address, and Social Security number) and the PIN number or password provided to you when you placed the security freeze as well as the identities of those entities or individuals you would like to receive your credit report or the specific period of time you want the credit report available. The credit reporting agencies have three (3) business days after receiving your request to lift the security freeze for those identified entities or for the specified period of time.
To remove the security freeze, you must send a written request to each of the three credit bureaus by mail and include proper identification (name, address, and Social Security number) and the PIN number or password provided to you when you placed the security freeze. The credit bureaus have three (3) business days after receiving your request to remove the security freeze.
For More Information
If you have further questions or concerns, please call 1-833-918-8533 toll-free, 9 am to 9 pm, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (excluding major U.S. holidays). Be prepared to provide your engagement number B138962, if prompted.