PurFoods, LLC Provides Notice of Data Event
As part of our mission of improving life through better nutrition at home, PurFoods, LLC [doing business as Mom’s Meals (“PurFoods”)] takes the protection and proper use of personal information very seriously. Unfortunately, earlier this year we experienced a cyberattack that may involve some of our clients’ personal information.
What happened.
Upon identifying suspicious account behavior on February 22, 2023, we launched an investigation with the help of third-party specialists. The investigation determined that we experienced a cyberattack between January 16, 2023, and February 22, 2023, that included the encryption of certain files in our network. Because the investigation identified the presence of tools that could be used for data exfiltration (the unauthorized transfer of data), we can’t rule out the possibility that data was taken from one of our file servers.
What information was involved.
Third-party specialists helped us conduct a review of the involved data files, which concluded on July 10, 2023. We then worked with our partners to identify accurate address information to provide notice to potentially affected individuals, and only recently completed these efforts.
The individuals whose information was involved included clients of PurFoods who received one or more meal deliveries, as well as some current and former employees and independent contractors. The information in the files included date of birth, driver’s license/state identification number, financial account information, payment card information, medical record number, Medicare and/or Medicaid identification, health information, treatment information, diagnosis code, meal category and/or cost, health insurance information, and patient ID number. Social Security numbers were involved for less than 1% of the total population, most of which are internal to PurFoods.
It’s important to note that we have seen no evidence that any personal information was misused or further disclosed as a result of the cyberattack.
What are we doing.
We notified Federal law enforcement of this event and cooperated with their subsequent investigation, and we began notifying impacted individuals by U.S. Mail on August 25, 2023. This notification includes guidance on how to protect against identity theft and fraud as well as access to complimentary credit monitoring and identity restoration services.
Further, because safeguarding the privacy of information in our care is one of our highest priorities, we have taken a number of steps to further strengthen our network security. We also are reviewing our existing policies and procedures to identify additional measures and safeguards.
What you can do.
Our notification letters include enrollment instructions for the complimentary services we're providing, as well as information about steps individuals can take to help protect themselves against identity theft and fraud. Further, it is always a good idea to review credit reports for accuracy. Under U.S. law, individuals are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228.
For more information.
We have engaged Kroll to manage a call center that can provide more information about this event. If you have further questions, please call (866) 676-4045, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time, excluding U.S. holidays. You may also write to PurFoods, LLC at 3210 SE Corporate Woods Drive, Ankeny, IA 50021.
Protecting your information is important to us, and we apologize for any concern this event may cause. We hope that this notification and additional resource information demonstrates our continued commitment to your security and satisfaction.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION
How to Monitor Your Account
Under U.S. law, you are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. You may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of your credit report.
Freezes and Fraud Alerts
You also have the right to place a “credit freeze,” at no cost to you, on your credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in your credit report without your express authorization. This is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent, and you can lift the freeze at any time. While credit is frozen, however, approvals for new loans, credit cards, mortgages, or other accounts involving the extension of credit could be delayed. To request a credit freeze, you will need to provide the following information:
- Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
- Social Security number;
- Date of birth;
- Address for the prior two to five years;
- Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
- A legible photocopy of a government-issues identification card (state driver's license or ID card, etc.); and
- A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if you are a victim of identity theft.
As an alternative to a credit freeze, you also can place either an initial or extended “fraud alert” on your credit report, also at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display, a business is required to take steps to verify your identity before extending new credit. If you are a victim of identity theft, you are entitled to a seven-year extended fraud alert lasting seven years.
To learn more about credit freezes and fraud alerts, please visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-fraud-alerts. Should you wish to place a credit freeze or either type of fraud alert, please contact any one of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:
| Equifax |
Experian |
TransUnion |
| https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ |
https://www.experian.com/help/ |
https://www.transunion.com/credit-help |
| 888-298-0045 |
1-888-397-3742 |
1(800)916-8800 |
| Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 |
Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 |
TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 |
| Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788/ |
Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 |
TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094 |
Additional Information
You can find more information on protecting your personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or your state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint by writing them at 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580; visiting www.identitytheft.gov; or calling 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261.
In addition, you have the right to file a police report if you ever experience identity theft or fraud. When filing a report with law enforcement for identity theft, you will likely be asked to provide some proof that you have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and your state Attorney General. Please note, this notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.
For District of Columbia residents, the District of Columbia Attorney General may be contacted at: 400 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001; 202-727-3400; and oag@dc.gov.
For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-528-8662 or 1-888-743-0023; and https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/.
For New Mexico residents, you have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be told if information in your credit file has been used against you, the right to know what is in your credit file, the right to ask for your credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information; access to your file is limited; you must give your consent for credit reports to be provided to employers; you may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance you get based on information in your credit report; and you may seek damages from violator. You may have additional rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active duty military personnel have specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We encourage you to review your rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.
For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov/.
For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.
For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903; www.riag.ri.gov; and 1-401-274-4400. Under Rhode Island law, you have the right to obtain any police report filed in regard to this incident. There are 699 Rhode Island residents impacted by this incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happened?
A. PurFoods, [doing business as Mom’s Meals (“PurFoods”)] experienced a cyberattack earlier this year. Because our investigation identified the presence of tools that could be used for the unauthorized transfer of data, we can’t rule out the possibility that data was taken from one of our file servers.
Q. Was I impacted?
A. Any individual who may have been impacted will receive a notification letter by U.S. Mail. If you believe you were impacted and do not receive a letter in the next several weeks, you can contact a dedicated call center managed by Kroll at (866) 676-4045, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time, excluding U.S. holidays.
Q. What support is PurFoods providing to individuals?
A. It’s important to note that we have seen no evidence that any personal information was misused or further disclosed as a result of the cyberattack. Nevertheless, to help address concerns and restore confidence following this event, we are providing complimentary access to credit monitoring and identity restoration services to individuals whose data may be involved. Our notification letters include enrollment instructions, as well as information about steps individuals can take to protect themselves against identity theft and fraud.
Q. What are you doing to prevent similar events in the future?
A. Because safeguarding the privacy of information in our care is one of our highest priorities, we have taken a number of steps to further strengthen our network security. We also are reviewing our existing policies and procedures to identify additional measures and safeguards.
Q. Was this cyberattack/incident related to the global MOVEit cyberattack I’ve seen reported in the news?
A. No. This incident is unrelated to the MOVEit cyberattack.