Pennsylvania State Education Association (“PSEA”) is providing notice regarding a recent data security incident. The privacy and security of the protected personal information entrusted to us is of the utmost importance to PSEA. As such, we wanted to provide impacted individuals with information about the incident, explain the services available to the impacted individuals, and let them know that we continue to take significant measures to protect the personal information entrusted to us.
What Happened?
PSEA experienced a security incident on or about July 6, 2024 that impacted our network environment. Through a thorough investigation and extensive review of impacted data which was completed on February 18, 2025, we determined that the data acquired by the unauthorized actor contained some personal information belonging to individuals whose information was contained within certain files within our network. We took steps, to the best of our ability and knowledge, to ensure that the data taken by the unauthorized actor was deleted. We want to make the impacted individuals aware of the incident and provide them with steps they can take to further protect their information.
What We Are Doing.
Upon learning of the issue, we commenced a prompt and thorough investigation. As part of our investigation, we have worked closely with external cybersecurity professionals and notified law enforcement of the incident. Additionally, PSEA is reviewing its existing policies and training protocols relating to data protection while enhancing security measures and monitoring tools to further mitigate risks of this nature. We continually evaluate and modify our practices and internal controls to enhance the security and privacy of the protected personal information entrusted to us.
What Information Was Involved?
We want to stress that not all data elements were acquired for every impacted individual. However, the impacted data may include an individual’s full name in combination with one or more of the following elements: Date of Birth, Driver’s License or State ID, Social Security Number, Account Number, Account PIN, Security Code, Password and Routing Number, Payment Card Number, Payment Card PIN and Payment Card Expiration Date, Passport Number, Taxpayer ID Number, Username and Password, Health Insurance Information and Medical Information.
What You Can Do.
We have no evidence that any of the information has been used for identity theft or to commit financial fraud. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, we want to make the impacted individuals aware of the incident.
The individuals who had their Social Security number impacted will be provided with access to credit monitoring and identity restoration services, through IDX, free of charge. To enroll in credit monitoring, please call IDX at 1-877-720-5373. IDX representatives are available Monday through Friday from 9 am - 9 pm Eastern Time. The impacted individuals have until June 17, 2025 to enroll in the services offered.
Below there is also information on precautionary measures that individuals may take to protect their personal information, including placing a fraud alert and/or security freeze on credit files and/or obtaining a free credit report. Additionally, individuals should always remain vigilant by reviewing their financial account statements and credit reports for fraudulent or irregular activity on a regular basis.
For More Information.
Please accept our apologies that this incident occurred. We are committed to maintaining the privacy of protected personal information in our possession and have taken precautions to safeguard it.
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 1-877-720-5373. IDX representatives are available Monday through Friday from 9 am - 9 pm Eastern Time, excluding holidays. This response line is staffed with professionals familiar with this incident and knowledgeable on what impacted individuals can do to help protect against potential misuse of their information.
– OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION –
- Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File.
You may place an initial one-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.
- 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 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.
- 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 that all information is correct. If you have questions or notice incorrect information, contact the credit reporting company.
- 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.
If you receive notice that your financial account information and/or credit or debit card information was impacted, we recommend that you contact your financial institution to inquire about steps to take to protect your account, including whether you should close your account or obtain a new account number.
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.
- Protecting Your Medical Information.
We have no information to date indicating that medical information involved in this incident was or will be used for any unintended purposes. As a general matter, however, the following practices can help to protect you from 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.
- State Specific Information.
Iowa Residents: You may contact law enforcement or the Iowa Attorney General’s Office to report suspected incidents of identity Theft: Office of the Attorney General of Iowa, Consumer Protection Division, Hoover State Office Building, 1305 East Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50319, www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov, Telephone: 515-281-5164.
Maryland Residents: You may obtain information about avoiding identity theft from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General of Maryland, Consumer Protection Division, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer, Telephone: 888-743-0023.
Massachusetts Residents: Under Massachusetts law, you have the right to obtain a police report in regard to this 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.
New York Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the New York Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; https://ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds-bureau/identity-theft; Telephone: 800-771-7755.
New Mexico Residents: You have rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) which include, among others, the right to know what is in your file; to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information; and to have consumer reporting agencies correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information. For more information, please visit www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf or www.ftc.gov.
North Carolina Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office: Office of the Attorney General of North Carolina, Consumer Protection Division, 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001, www.ncdoj.gov/, Telephone: 877-566-7226 (Toll-free within North Carolina), 919-716-6000.
Oregon Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the Oregon Attorney General’s Office: Oregon Department of Justice, 1162 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 97301-4096, www.doj.state.or.us/, Telephone: 877-877-9392
Washington D.C. Residents: You may obtain information about preventing identity theft from the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, 400 6th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20001, https://oag.dc.gov/consumer-protection, Telephone: 202-442-9828.
Rhode Island Residents: You may contact law enforcement, such as the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, to report incidents of identity theft or to learn about steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft. You can contact the Rhode Island Attorney General at: Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General, 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, www.riag.ri.gov, 401-274-4400.
All US Residents: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580, https://consumer.ftc.gov, 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338), or TTY: 1-866-653-4261.
