Notice of Data Incident

On May 3, 2026, Athens Orthopedic Clinic (referred to as Athens), identified unauthorized activity within our network. Once identified, we took immediate steps to isolate and secure our network and engaged third-party specialists to assist with containing and investigating the activity. The investigation determined that a limited amount of data within our network was potentially copied without authorization. We are reviewing the relevant data to determine the contents of the data and to whom it relates. The data that was potentially impacted may include an individual’s name and information related to treatment and diagnosis, prescription information, health insurance information, and other demographic information including but not limited to an individual’s date of birth, account number, and email address. Importantly, the potentially impacted information may vary for each individual and may include all or just one of the above-listed types of information.

Upon learning of this event, we immediately took steps to secure our network environment and undertook a thorough investigation. We are also reviewing our policies and procedures, and we have implemented additional technical safeguards to further enhance the security of information in our possession and to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Further, we are undertaking a thorough review of the information to identify any potentially impacted individuals.

Upon completion of the data review, Athens will mail notice letters to potentially impacted individuals for whom we have address information. The letters include information about this incident and steps that individuals can take to monitor and help protect their information, including access to free credit monitoring and identity protection services. Additional steps that individuals may take to monitor and protect their information are also included below. We have also established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident, provide access to free credit monitoring and identity protection services for potentially affected individuals, and address related concerns. The call center is available between the hours of 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding major U.S. holidays, and can be reached at 1-833-851-9632. You can also reach us by writing to 1765 Old West Broad St., Athens, GA 30606.

In general, we encourage individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing credit reports/account statements and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Under U.S. law, individuals are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

Individuals have the right to place an initial or extended fraud alert on a credit file at no cost. If individuals are a victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert lasting seven years. As an alternative to a fraud alert, they have the right to place a credit freeze on a credit report. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved without consent. Pursuant to federal law, individuals cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on your credit report.

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

You can further educate yourself regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes and the steps you can take to protect your personal information by contacting the credit reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or your state Attorney General. The FTC also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. The FTC may be reached at 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement, your state Attorney General, and the FTC.