Newton Community Development Foundation reported a data breach that occurred on August 7, 2024, when an employee mistakenly sent copies of direct deposit payroll processing information to a personal email account. The Foundation classified the incident as low risk and immediately took action to address it. The organization requested that the recipient delete the sensitive information and reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing internal privacy policies through vigilance and training.
According to the Foundation, there is no indication that the compromised information has been used in a criminal or wrongful manner. As of now, no police report has been filed by the organization. However, under Massachusetts law, affected individuals have the right to file a police report if they suspect identity theft. The Foundation emphasized that those impacted can also obtain any existing police reports related to this incident.
To mitigate potential risks, the Foundation advised individuals to consider placing a security freeze on their credit reports, which is free of charge. A security freeze prevents credit reporting agencies from releasing personal credit information without written authorization. However, the Foundation cautioned that doing so could delay or interfere with activities like obtaining loans, mortgages, or securing employment, as the freeze restricts access to credit reports.
The Foundation reiterated that it remains dedicated to protecting personal information and preventing future incidents. By focusing on enhanced training and strict enforcement of its privacy policies, the organization aims to ensure such breaches do not happen again. Impacted individuals are encouraged to remain vigilant and utilize the resources available to safeguard their personal and financial information.
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