Dear members of SEIU-West:
We are writing you with an important update related to the recent cyber-attack affecting SEIU-West that we first reported to you late last week on March 11, 2022. We promised to provide you with further updates as more information became available.
Here is what we’ve learned to date:
Work has been done within the SEIU-West IT server structure to ensure that affected files have been quarantined.
It has been determined that the vast majority of our electronic files were not tampered with. However, our accounting database was likely compromised. As a result, SEIU-West is taking steps to ensure that SEIU-West’s member and staff financial information will not be compromised any further by improving our already stringent security measures.
This means that the cyber-attack introduced a potential risk in that some personal information of Union members was accessed. This information could include names, addresses, and Social Insurance Numbers, or other information related to members of the Union that has been collected in order for the Union to represent its members. Please note: the Union does not have access to or store the banking information of its members.
We are providing notice of this potential risk so you can choose to take steps to monitor your banking and credit information and protect yourself from potential harm.
For right now, we recommend you monitor all your account statements and credit reports for suspicious activity and remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud.
You may periodically request a credit report. You can request a report from each of the national credit bureaus listed below for yourself without any impact on your credit score. You should remain vigilant about suspicious activity and check your credit reports, as well as your other account statements, periodically over the next 12 to 36 months. You should immediately report any suspicious activity to the credit bureaus and your banking institutions.
You may place a fraud alert on your credit report. A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you before they open any new credit accounts or change your existing accounts. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name. As soon as one of the credit bureaus confirms your fraud alert, the other credit bureau will be automatically notified in order to place alerts on your credit report, and the reports will be sent to you free of charge. To place a fraud alert on your credit file, contact one of the two national credit bureaus at the numbers provided below.
By establishing a fraud alert, you will receive a follow-up letter that will explain how you can receive a free copy of your credit report. When you receive your credit report, examine it closely and look for signs of fraud, such as credit accounts that are not yours.
Additionally, you can place a "credit freeze" on your credit file so that no credit reports can be released without your approval. Please contact the national credit bureaus below for more information. Both bureaus charge a fee for this service. To contact the credit bureaus, you can call the numbers below, or you can visit their websites for further contact information:
- Equifax: 1-800-465-7166; www.equifax.ca
- TransUnion: 1-800-663-9980; www.transunion.ca
Continue to monitor your credit reports. Even with a fraud alert on your account, you should continue to monitor your credit reports to ensure that an imposter has not opened an account with your personal information.
You may contact Service Canada to inform them your social insurance number may be compromised. The Service Canada number is 1-800-O-Canada. Service Canada will put a flag on your account to watch for SIN suspicious usage. For more information on protecting your SIN, visit the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Monitor your bank accounts and credit cards for suspicious activity or mysterious transactions. Contact your banking institution for advice on how to protect your accounts from any fraudulent activity. Each bank has their own processes and protocols; it is best to contact your bank directly for advice. The banks offer credit fraud protection to their customers.
Please check our website, seiuwest.ca for updated information and links to resources as they become available.
Should you have any questions regarding this notice or if you would like more information, please do not hesitate to call the Member Resource Centre during regular business hours and they can be reached toll free at 1.888.999.7348 ext. 2298 (province-wide) or by email [email protected] or via our contact form on the website.
We take our role in safeguarding your personal information and using it in an appropriate manner very seriously. We are doing everything we can to investigate and rectify the situation. We are sorry for any inconvenience you may experience from this notification.
As further information becomes available, we will provide further updates.
Sincerely,
|
Barbara Cape |
Neil Colmin Vice-President SEIU-West |
Janice Platzke Treasurer SEIU-West |
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