Data Breach

Balance Autism Provides Notice of Data Privacy Event

Balance Autism is providing notice of a data event that may impact the confidentiality of information related to certain individuals.

What Happened? On or around March 17, 2025, Balance Autism discovered suspicious activity on certain network systems. We immediately launched an investigation and worked with forensic specialists to determine the full nature and scope of the event. Based on the investigation, we determined that certain information was copied from our systems on or around May 11, 2025 to May 17, 2025. We then undertook a time intensive effort to review the potentially impacted data to identify to whom it related, as well as to locate address information for those potentially impacted. This process was completed on or around May 5, 2025.

What Information Was Involved? Our review determined that the following types of information were present in the impacted data set: Social Security number, date of birth, health insurance information and Medicaid number. The impacted information varied by individual.

What Balance Autism Is Doing. We take the confidentiality, privacy, and security of information in our seriously. Upon discovery, we secured our systems and launched an investigation with third party specialists to determine the nature and scope of the potentially affected data. We also notified federal law enforcement of this incident.

What Affected Individuals Can Do. As a precautionary measure, Balance Autism encourages individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft by reviewing account statements, credit reports, and explanations of benefits for unusual activity and to detect errors. Any suspicious activity should be promptly reported to one’s health care provider, insurance company, or financial institution. We are offering complimentary credit monitoring services to individuals whose Social Security number was impacted or where otherwise required. Please call the dedicated toll-free assistance line for additional information. Individuals can review the enclosed Steps Individuals Can Take to Help Protect Personal Information to learn helpful tips on steps they can take to protect against possible information misuse, should they feel it is appropriate to do so. 

For More Information. Balance Autism is mailing notice to impacted individuals for whom it has address information. Individuals seeking additional information regarding this event may contact Balance Autism using a dedicated toll-free assistance line that has been established at 1-833-799-1793, Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Central time, excluding holidays.

Steps Individuals Can Take To Help Protect Personal Information

Under U.S. law, a consumer is 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. Consumers may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of their credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If consumers are the victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in a consumer’s name without consent. However, consumers should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in their credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application they make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on their credit report. To request a credit freeze, individuals may need to provide some or all of the following information:

1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
2. Social Security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;
5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and
7. A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if they are a victim of identity theft.

Should consumers wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Additional Information

Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect your personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or their state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Consumers can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Consumers have the right to file a police report if they ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, consumers will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and the relevant state Attorney General. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.

For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-576-6300 or 1-888-743-0023; and https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/.

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.