TAIT Towers Manufacturing LLC (“TAIT”) takes data security very seriously and understands the importance of protecting the information it maintains. This notice: (a) describes a data security incident in which a party accessed our computer network without authorization, including and the email accounts of certain TAIT personnel (b) explains the measures that TAIT has taken in response to the incident and (c) explains certain steps that, in an abundance of caution, you can take to protect yourself.
WHAT HAPPENED: On April 6, 2020, TAIT became aware of a data security incident in which an unauthorized party accessed a TAIT computer server and the email accounts of certain TAIT personnel. Upon learning of the incident, TAIT immediately took its servers and IT systems offline and a leading cyber security firm was engaged to assist with the investigation. Although the investigation is ongoing, the investigation has revealed that the unauthorized access began on February 16, 2020. TAIT has addressed the security issues resulting in this incident, taking steps such as resetting the login credentials for TAIT’s servers and email system. Additionally, TAIT conducted a review of its cybersecurity defenses and protocols and has implemented additional safeguards, such as adding multi-factor authentication and deploying endpoint monitoring systems.
WHAT INFORMATION WAS INVOLVED: TAIT’s investigation into this matter is ongoing, but TAIT has determined that the server content and email accounts accessed by the unauthorized party contained names, addresses, email addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and financial account numbers.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: To date, TAIT is unaware of any misuse of the information maintained in the server and email accounts that were accessed by the unauthorized party. Out of an abundance of caution, we encourage you to remain vigilant by reviewing your financial account statements for any unauthorized activity. If you see charges or activity you did not authorize, we suggest that you contact your financial institution immediately. As a precaution, we are prepared to offer credit monitoring at no charge to those individuals potentially affected by this incident. For more information or to sign up for credit monitoring, please call our dedicated call center for this issue at 855-917-3540 (US) or 0808 234 5428 (UK) .
WHAT WE ARE DOING: TAIT regrets any inconvenience or concern this may cause. We have taken steps to help prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future, such as adding multi-factor authentication and deploying endpoint monitoring systems, as well as additional actions to further expand and strengthen our security processes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For any questions you may have regarding this data security incident, please call our dedicated call center for this issue at 855-917-3540 (US) or 0808 234 5428 (UK), Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
ADDITIONAL STEPS YOU CAN TAKE:
We remind you it is always advisable to be vigilant for incidents of fraud or identity theft by reviewing your account statements and credit reports for any unauthorized activity. You may obtain a copy of your credit report, free of charge, once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. To order your annual free credit report, please visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll free at 1-877-322-8228. You can also contact the three nationwide credit reporting companies below:
- Equifax, PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374, www.equifax.com, 1-800-685-1111
- Experian, PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013, www.experian.com, 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion, PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016, www.transunion.com, 1-800-916-8800
If you believe you are the victim of identity theft or have reason to believe your personal information has been misused, you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Attorney General’s office in your state. You can obtain information from these sources about steps an individual can take to avoid identity theft as well as information about fraud alerts and security freezes. You may also consider contacting your local law enforcement authorities and filing a police report. You may be asked to provide a copy of the police report to creditors to correct your records. Contact information for the Federal Trade Commission is below:
- Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580,
1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338), www.ftc.gov/idtheft
Fraud Alerts: There are two types of general fraud alerts you can place on your credit report to put your creditors on notice that you may be a victim of fraud—an initial alert and an extended alert. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. An initial fraud alert stays on your credit report for one year. You may have an extended alert placed on your credit report if you have already been a victim of identity theft with the appropriate documentary proof. An extended fraud alert stays on your credit report for seven years.
To place a fraud alert on your credit reports, contact one of the nationwide credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, or Trans Union). A fraud alert is free. The credit reporting company you contact must tell the other two, and all three will place an alert on their versions of your report.
For those in the military who want to protect their credit while deployed, an Active Duty Military Fraud Alert lasts for one year and can be renewed for the length of your deployment. The credit reporting companies will also take you off their marketing lists for pre-screened credit card offers for two years, unless you ask them not to.
Credit or Security Freezes: You have the right to put a credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, on your credit file, free of charge, which makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. That’s because most creditors need to see your credit report before they approve a new account. If they can’t see your report, they may not extend the credit.
How do I place a freeze on my credit reports? There is no fee to place or lift a security freeze. Unlike a fraud alert, you must separately place a security freeze on your credit file at each credit reporting company. For information and instructions to place a security freeze, contact each of the credit reporting agencies at the addresses below:
- Experian Security Freeze, PO Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013, www.experian.com
- TransUnion Security Freeze, PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016, www.transunion.com
- Equifax Security Freeze, PO Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348, www.equifax.com
You will 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 provide you with 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.
A freeze remains in place until you ask the credit reporting company to temporarily lift it or remove it altogether. If the request is made online or by phone, a credit reporting company must lift a freeze within one hour. If the request is made by mail, then the reporting company must lift the freeze no later than three business days after getting your request.
If you opt for a temporary lift of the freeze because you are applying for credit or a job, and you can find out which credit reporting company the business will contact for your file, you can save some time by lifting the freeze only at that particular credit reporting company. Otherwise, you need to make the request with all three credit reporting companies.
