The Dental Network

Frequently Asked Questions

Background

1. What has happened?

On February 20, 2008, The Dental Network learned that, for approximately two weeks, access to member data on its website was left unprotected from outside exposure.

2. What type of information was possibly compromised?

This data included personal information about TDN members, including name, Social Security number, address(es) and date of birth.

3. Has my information been misused?

So far, there is no indication that any unauthorized person has misused or is misusing any of this information.

4. Why didn't you report the loss of the data sooner?

Action was taken immediately and your personal data was secured within minutes of our learning of this accidental exposure. With any such event, it takes time to gather the relevant information, identify the affected individuals, hold the necessary internal discussions, make the appropriate decisions and line-up the assistance services that are being offered.

5. What is TDN doing to prevent this kind of loss from happening again?

The Dental Network understands the impact of the accidental data exposure on its members. We have identified the source of the error and have taken the necessary measures to ensure that your data remains secure.

6. Will TDN pay for credit protection services for affected people?

TDN is paying for a one year membership with ID Experts, which includes 12 months of credit monitoring that will quickly alert you to changes in your credit report. The membership includes personal recovery services should you experience a fraud or identity theft as a result of this incident. It also includes $30,000 in identity theft protection insurance for residents of all states except New York, where this coverage is not available as a matter of state law.

7. What is the deadline for enrolling in the pre-paid services?

The registration deadline for enrolling in the protection services is Sept 1, 2008.

8. What else should I do in addition to registering for ID Experts credit protection support?

In addition to registering for the prepaid credit protection services that TDN is offering, you can take advantage of your right to a free fraud alert service offered by the major credit bureaus. Doing so will also give you access to free copies of your credit files. There is no charge for this service. (Refer to Credit Reporting Bureaus page for fraud alert instructions.)

9. Who should I contact if I have questions?

You should contact ID Experts at 866-879-7402 for more information about the protection services that the company offers.

Recommended Next Steps

10. What steps can I take to reduce the chance that my information will be misused?

Consider signing up for ID Experts Protection Program. Services include 12 months of credit monitoring, reimbursement for lost income and expenses due to an identity theft incident, and complete restoration if you experience identity theft as a result of this situation. To register for these services, you will need the access number printed in the notification letter. This will make it possible for you to complete the validation process and receive the protection package.

Activate your credit monitoring. This is part of the service you receive after enrolling with ID Experts. However, you need to activate it personally for it to be effective. Specific instructions for activating your credit monitoring will be provided once you enroll with ID Experts. Activating your credit monitoring will also allow you immediate access to your credit report online.

Consider placing a "fraud alert" on your credit file. On request, any of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies can place a fraud alert in your file to alert potential creditors that you may be a victim of identity theft; a fraud alert can make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name because it tells creditors to follow certain procedures to protect you - however, it may also delay your ability to obtain credit if you are applying for a credit card or other form of credit.

11. How do I set a fraud alert?

The easiest way to contact one of the credit bureaus via the web is to visit www.Experian.com.

Click on "Steps to take if you are a victim of fraud or identity theft" on the bottom of the page under the heading "Preventing Fraud."

You will answer some questions to confirm your identity, and then a 90-day security alert will be added to your credit file. Experian will give you access to view your report online. You should examine it carefully for accuracy. Experian will also share this information with Equifax and TransUnion who will both mail you confirmation letters containing a number to call to order complimentary copies of your credit reports for review.

To contact one of the credit bureaus by phone, see the numbers below:

Equifax: (800) 525-6285
Experian: (888) 397-3742
TransUnion: (800) 680-7289

It is only necessary to contact one of these bureaus and use one of these methods

You will not be charged for this service. Please note placing a fraud alert may delay your ability to open new lines of credit quickly. Activate credit monitoring before setting fraud alerts. This makes the process faster and easier.

12. Should I set a fraud alert with the Credit Bureaus?

This will help prevent someone from opening new accounts in your name. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the others are notified to place fraud alerts as well. All three bureaus will mail you a confirmation letter and you will be able to order complimentary credit reports for your review.

Credit Monitoring Services

13. What expense does ID Experts Protection Program cover?

Those enrolled will receive ID Experts credit monitoring for 1 year. If you experience a fraud or identity theft as a result of this incident, you will receive help from an ID Experts Recovery Advocate to restore your identity to its pre-theft status. You are also eligible for lost income and expense reimbursement, with no deductible. ID Experts provides coverage for lost income (time off work) and expenses (e.g., credit reports, legal fees for some civil suits, fees for refilling loan applications) related to the recovery process. There are no additional charges for this service.

14. When my free membership expires, will I be automatically re-enrolled or forced to pay for anything?

You will never be forced to enroll or re-enroll in the ID Experts program. At the end of your free membership, ID Experts will offer you the chance to extend your membership at a discounted rate of their then-current prices for a standard membership. If you choose to re-enroll, your coverage will be extended and you will retain your membership. If you choose not to re-enroll, your membership will expire and you will owe ID Experts nothing.

15. What is credit monitoring?

Monitoring your credit reports regularly is your first line of defense. Credit monitoring is a very effective tool for becoming aware of fraudulent activity immediately. Every week, you'll be informed of changes to your credit report, alerting you to activities such as:
New inquiries
New accounts opened in your name
Late payments
Improvements in your report
Bankruptcies and other public records
New addresses
New employers

16. Please tell me more about the monitoring service I'm being offered.

The service offered to you on behalf of TDN and through your membership with ID Experts is managed by True Credit, a subsidiary of TransUnion, one of the three main credit bureaus. We offer the service to our members, but the monitoring is operated and maintained exclusively by True Credit. The credit monitoring service assures that you will be notified of changes to your credit report (in this case, your TransUnion credit report) so that you will have an early notice of any possible fraudulent activity. Your monitoring alerts are sent on either a monthly or weekly basis (you can determine the frequency by adjusting the settings in your True Credit account).

Once you enroll in the ID Experts program, you can activate your credit monitoring. Part of this activation process involves True Credit verifying your identity. They will ask for personal information such as Social Security number, previous address, etc. You should not be concerned about entering this information into the True Credit website; they already have it, and are just using it to verify that you are really you and not an imposter.

17. What is the relationship between ID Experts and True Credit? Are they the same company?

ID Experts and True Credit are separate entities. True Credit is a wholly owned subsidiary of TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus. ID Experts contracts with True Credit to provide credit monitoring services to their members. ID Experts offers the services, but the monitoring is operated and maintained strictly by True Credit.

18. What does the credit monitoring activation process involve?

You will be ordering a copy of your credit report and enrolling in a credit monitoring service online. You can choose to receive updates about your report on either a weekly or monthly basis. Part of this process involves True Credit verifying your identity. They will ask for personal protection information such as social security numbers, previous address, etc. Do not be concerned about entering this information into the True Credit website. They already have it and are just using it to verify your identity.

You will receive a True Credit certificate code to register for this service, which you can access when you enroll in the ID Experts program. You will not be required to pay for anything. This process will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete, and afterward you will have unlimited access to your TransUnion credit report and score.

19. How do I begin the credit monitoring activation process and receive my credit report?

Explicit instructions are provided on the ID Experts Member website, which you will have access to once you enroll. If you need assistance, please contact ID Experts at 866-879-7402.

20. What is Identity Theft?

According to the United States Department of Justice, the terms identity theft and identity fraud "refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain."

It is important to remember that a breach of your personal information does not mean you will experience identity theft.

21. What does the Recovery Advocate do?

If a participant becomes a victim of identity theft, ID Experts assigns a Recovery Advocate to manage the case from beginning to end. Your Recovery Advocate does a great deal of work so you can remain productive at work and at home. ID Experts disputes all fraudulent charges, contacts affected merchants, deals with collection agencies and works on your behalf to correct the problem. This service continues until your pre-theft credit status is re-established. Your Recovery Advocate will be your main contact and source of information during this time.

22. What can I expect when recovery is done?

Once your case is closed, it will stay in ID Experts' system for 36 months. If any other events stem from your unique identity theft case, they will re-open and take care of it. You will have access to Recovery Advocates if you ever have a question or concern.

23. I think my browser might be incompatible with the ID Experts/True Credit website.

The ID Experts website is designed to run with Internet Explorer version 7 on current versions of the Windows operating system. ID Experts seeks to support other browsers and other operating systems; however, it is possible that users with non-Internet Explorer browsers or other configurations may have difficulties accessing the ID Experts site as well as the True Credit website. If you have difficulty registering with the ID Experts website, representatives are available to help you enroll over the phone. Doing so will allow you to be signed up while you look for alternative methods of accessing the website in the future.

24. As a New York resident, how will I be affected by not having identity theft insurance coverage?

It may not affect you at all. TDN has secured credit protection support from a reputable company that provides robust credit protection and fraud restoration services. TDN expects these services to meet affected individuals' needs, including New Yorkers' needs, in most if not all circumstances, because the services include assistance with addressing changes in your credit status. Since fraud restoration services often resolve issues without requiring you to incur associated costs, you may not ever need identity theft insurance reimbursements. TDN did secure identity theft insurance protection in every state where it is available, just in case someone incurs a legitimate covered expense that a bank, credit card company, fraud restoration process or other resource won't reimburse.

If you are an affected New York resident and you incur a legitimate expense that your bank, credit card company, fraud restoration process or other resource cannot reimburse, please call TDN at 866-879-7402.

25. May I continue my ID Experts ID Protection membership for more than one year?

Yes, you may continue this coverage for as long as you wish. However, The Dental Network will only pay for the first 12 months of coverage. Any coverage beyond the first 12 months will be your responsibility.

ID Experts Name Change

26. Why has ID Safeguards changed their name to ID Experts?

We believe ID Experts is more conducive to our leading expertise in the field. In addition to individuals, we also serve some of America�s largest corporations, government agencies, hospitals and universities with data breach services. For this reason we feel that the name ID Experts is now more appropriate and representative of who we are.

27. Are you still the same company?

Yes! The only thing that has changed is our name. We remain the same company under the same management and ownership that you are familiar with. We have not been purchased or acquired.

28. I already have services with ID Safeguards. Is my membership going to change?

No. You will have the exact same membership, benefits and protection now as you had when you were originally enrolled. Only our name is changing.

29. My membership includes credit monitoring via True Credit. Do I need to reenroll or update my information with them? Is their service changing?

No. You will log on to our website and to True Credit�s with the same user name and passwords you have already established, and the monitoring through True Credit will remain the same. You do not have to take any action.

30. What else is changing?

Nothing is changing but our name.

The Dental Network is an independent licensee of the BlueCross and BlueShield Association