Brown Paindiris & Scott, LLP Provides Supplemental Notice of Data Security Incident

[3/24/2025]

The privacy and security of the personal information we maintain is of the utmost importance to Brown Paindiris & Scott, LLP (“Brown Paindiris & Scott”). We are writing with important information regarding a security incident. As such, we want to provide you with information about the incident and let you know that we continue to take significant measures to protect your information.

Brown Paindiris & Scott detected unauthorized access to our network environment. Upon learning of this issue, we immediately began efforts to remediate the issue and commenced a prompt and thorough investigation. As part of our investigation, we worked closely with external cybersecurity professionals experienced in handling these types of incidents. After an extensive forensic investigation, we discovered that certain documents and records were accessed and/or acquired by the unauthorized party between November 7, 2023 and November 9, 2023.  Accordingly, we notified the individuals whose information was confirmed to be impacted on April 11, 2024.

On or about February 13, 2025, following a comprehensive review of the impacted data, Brown Paindiris & Scott confirmed that certain additional personal information was potentially impacted as a result of the incident. On March 14, 2025, we notified these additional potentially impacted individuals, to the extent they had a last known address.

The impacted data for the additional potentially impacted individuals included full names in combination with one (1) or more of the following, if this information was provided to Brown, Paindiris & Scott: Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license or State ID number, taxpayer ID number, financial account information, payment card number, medical Information and health insurance information. The data elements for each additional potentially impacted individual is subject to variance and may not include all data elements listed.

To date, we have no evidence of financial fraud or identity theft related to this incident. Nevertheless, we wanted to make potentially impacted individuals aware of the incident and provide information on steps these individuals can take to safeguard their information, including placing a fraud alert/security freeze on their credit files, obtaining free credit reports, and remaining vigilant in reviewing financial account statements and credit reports for fraudulent or irregular activity on a regular basis. We are also offering affected individuals with complimentary credit monitoring services. Please review the “Other Important Information” section below for more information.

Brown Paindiris & Scott is committed to maintaining the privacy of personal information in its possession and has taken many precautions to safeguard it. Brown Paindiris & Scott continually evaluates and modifies its practices and internal controls to enhance the security and privacy of personal information, including updating passwords and enhancing email access protocols.

If you have any further questions regarding this incident, please call our dedicated and confidential toll-free response line that we have set up to respond to questions at 855-374-7013. This response line is staffed with professionals familiar with this incident and knowledgeable on what you can do to protect against misuse of your information. The response line is available Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, excluding major U.S holidays.

– OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION –

1. Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File.

We recommend that you place an initial one (1) year “fraud alert” on your credit files, at no charge.  A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you personally before they open any new accounts.  To place a fraud alert, call any one of the three major credit bureaus at the numbers listed below.  As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, they will notify the others. 

2. Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit File.

If you are very concerned about becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, you may request a “security freeze” be placed on your credit file, at no charge. A security freeze prohibits, with certain specific exceptions, the consumer reporting agencies from releasing your credit report or any information from it without your express authorization. You may place a security freeze on your credit report by contacting all three nationwide credit reporting companies at the numbers below and following the stated directions or by sending a request in writing, by mail, to all three credit reporting companies:

In order to place the security freeze, you’ll 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 send you a confirmation letter containing 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.

If your personal information has been used to file a false tax return, to open an account or to attempt to open an account in your name, or to commit fraud or other crimes against you, you may file a police report in the city in which you currently reside.

If you do place a security freeze prior to enrolling in the credit monitoring service as described above, you will need to remove the freeze in order to sign up for the credit monitoring service. After you sign up for the credit monitoring service, you may refreeze your credit file.

3. Obtaining a Free Credit Report.

Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the above three major nationwide credit reporting companies. Call 1-877-322-8228 or request your free credit reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com.  Once you receive your credit reports, review them for discrepancies. Identify any accounts you did not open or inquiries from creditors that you did not authorize.  Verify all information is correct.  If you have questions or notice incorrect information, contact the credit reporting company.

4. Protecting Your Medical Information.

The following practices can provide additional safeguards to protect against medical identity theft:

• Only share your health insurance cards with your health care providers and other family members who are covered under your insurance plan or who help you with your medical care
• Review your “explanation of benefits statement” which you receive from your health insurance company. Follow up with your insurance company or care provider for any items you do not recognize. If necessary, contact the care provider on the explanation of benefits statement and ask for copies of medical records from the date of the potential access (noted above) to current date.
• Ask your insurance company for a current year-to-date report of all services paid for you as a beneficiary. Follow up with your insurance company or the care provider for any items you do not recognize.

5. Additional Helpful Resources.

Even if you do not find any suspicious activity on your initial credit reports, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you check your credit reports periodically. Checking your credit report periodically can help you spot problems and address them quickly.

If you find suspicious activity on your credit reports or have reason to believe your information is being misused, call your local law enforcement agency and file a police report. Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report, as many creditors will want the information it contains to absolve you of the fraudulent debts. You may also file a complaint with the FTC by contacting them on the web at www.ftc.gov/idtheft, by phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338), or by mail at Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. Your complaint will be added to the FTC’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, where it will be accessible to law enforcement for their investigations. In addition, you may obtain information from the FTC about fraud alerts and security freezes.