SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. -
Priority One CU devoted a special page on its website for an "Important Security Message to Members." The letter, signed by Charles Wiggington, the credit union's CEO, acknowledged "an error" occurred during distribution of election ballots. The letter states: "personal information was inadvertently included above your address on the envelope. This information was not printed in a format that would be immediately recognizable."
Although the CU did not say what "personal information" was printed on the envelopes, according to Blog entries posted online by some Priority One members, it was account and Social Security Numbers.
Wiggington's letter to members said the credit union has no indication their personal information "has been accessed or misused in any way."
"We apologize for this distribution error, and deeply regret any inconvenience or concern it may cause you," the letter continued. "Your privacy and security are our top priority, and we have taken precautionary measures to help ensure your protection."
Among the steps Priority One said it is taking:
* "New protocols" have been put into place to validate the account holder's identity before transactions can take place, including loan applications.
* Members will receive a free, one-year membership in the credit monitoring service offered by Equifax.
* "Additional operational and security enhancements will ensure this situation cannot happen again. We are committed to protecting your personal information, and will closely monitor your account for the next year. We are also happy to change your member number, upon your request."
In addition, Priority One advised members to place a Security Alert on their credit bureau files, and gave contact information for all three credit reporting agencies. The CU offered the telephone number for the Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline, as well as the phone number Web address for the Federal Trade Commission's identity theft group.
The letter concludes: "We appreciate your continued support of Priority One Credit Union, and want you to know that 'you are our first priority.'"
