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Your Stories Q&A: Is this data breach notice from the Department of Justice legit?

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — You ask, we answer!

Viewer Question: I received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice about a data breach involving my personal and Medicare information. Is this letter legitimate?

The Your Stories Team did some digging and it does appear the letter is legitimate, but those involved are keeping tight-lipped.

Two inquiries to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Public Affairs, have gone unanswered.

According to the Notice of Data Breach sent to our viewer by the DOJ, the breach involved a DOJ contractor, Greylock, McKinnon and Associates (GMA).

“Your information was obtained by DOJ as part of a civil investigation and related litigation matter and we provided that information to GMA in support of that matter. Rest assured you are not the subject of the civil investigation or related litigation matter.” the DOJ notice stated.

When the YS Team contacted GMA to learn more about the breach, we were told, “no comment.”

Data Breach Letter

The letter is courtesy of the District Attorney of Maine’s website.

According to a data breach notification filed with the State of Maine’s Attorney General, 341,000 people are impacted by this breach.

The New York Attorney General’s Office said it’s aware of the breach and believes about 50,000 New Yorkers are impacted.

Those impacted received a notice in early April.

The Notice of Data Breach stated the breach happened last May, and was discovered in February. The breach may have included names, date of births, addresses and Medicare Health Insurance Claim Numbers. Those claim numbers contain Social Security numbers.

The notice also states, GMA is not aware of any reports of identity fraud from the breach.

Those impacted are being offered an opportunity to enroll in free credit monitoring services.

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