Important Security Message regarding Alcatel-Lucent

Below is information we received yesterday evening from Alcatel-Lucent on a lost disk that impacts thousands of our members and retirees.  Please read the information carefully, and follow the steps accordingly.

It is sad that a company that continues to pay outrageous bonuses to Senior Leaders cannot afford to protect the names and social security numbers of our members and retirees.  With all the problems our members and retirees have had in dealing with the administrators of the Lucent Health and Pension Benefits, it is not surprising that something like this would occur.  This is inexcusable. 

In Unity,

Ralph V. Maly, Jr.

Vice President

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From: North America Communications [mailto:iisnotices@alcatel-lucent.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 3:43 PM
Subject: Important Security Message

 

May 17, 2007

 

As part of the company’s regular business, Alcatel-Lucent uses certain record retention providers and benefits consultants to assist with our employee programs.  We learned last Monday, May 7, from one of our vendors that a computer disk containing some personal information could not be located.  The disk was prepared by Hewitt Associates for delivery by UPS to another of the company’s vendors, Aon Corporation.   We are still investigating this matter, but we believe the disk was lost or stolen between April 5 and May 3.

 

The disk contained personal information including name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, and salary information for our Alcatel-Lucent U.S.-paid employees who worked for Lucent, your dependents and Lucent’s retirees and their dependents.  This disk did not include any credit card numbers, bank account numbers, password information or information about employee savings plan accounts, stock option accounts or pensions.

 

When we learned of this matter, we initiated an internal investigation and also asked the U. S. Secret Service to investigate.  Additionally, we reported this to state and local law enforcement officials and continue to work with law enforcement to investigate this matter. 

 

We are reviewing our current security policies and procedures to help us find ways to ensure that any information transmitted by our vendors is properly protected.  We have also requested our vendors to suspend all similar transmissions of personal information via courier while we investigate these issues thoroughly. 

 

We apologize and deeply regret that this has happened.  Although we do not have information that any of the personal information has been misused, we are committed to making sure you have the support you need to monitor your credit and know how to respond if you identify any problems. 

 

In particular, to assist you, we are in the process of finalizing arrangements to provide you and your dependents with identity theft protection and credit monitoring for one year free of charge.  These services will include unlimited online access to your credit report and score, monitoring of all three national credit bureau reports, email alerts to inform you of key changes to your credit report, and fraud resolution and assistance. 

 

You will receive specific information about how to sign up for these services in a letter mailed to your home address within the next several weeks.  When you get this information I encourage you to proactively take advantage of these services.   

 

You also have rights under U.S. law to place a “fraud alert” on your credit file that alerts creditors to take additional steps to verify your identity prior to granting credit in your name.  There is no charge to place a fraud alert on your credit file.  You may place a fraud alert in your file by simply calling just one of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies.  As soon as that agency processes your fraud alert, it will notify the other two, which then also must place fraud alerts in your file.  This is an immediate action you can take to protect your personal information and I encourage you to take advantage of your rights under U.S. law.

 

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com 

Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com

 

You are also entitled under U.S. law to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus.  To order your free credit report, you can visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll-free (877) 322-8228.  For additional information on how to further protect your personal information, you can visit the web site of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/idtheft/.

 

Again, we deeply regret any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause you.  We have arranged for a toll free number for you to call if you have any questions.  The number is 1-866-795-8756 which will be available between 9:00am and 5:00p.m Eastern time Monday through Friday, with extended hours today, May 17^th.  You also can check the information posted on the company’s internet site at www.alcatel-lucent.com or on the intranet at http://all.alcatel-lucent.com/wps/portal/region/na.

 

Sincerely,

Stephen Reynolds

General Counsel