Detroit Symphony Orchestra Data Breach

What Happened?

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO), a renowned institution in the performing arts industry, has recently experienced a significant data security incident. On September 27, 2023, the DSO identified unusual activity within their systems, prompting an immediate response to secure their digital environment. Subsequent investigations by cybersecurity experts revealed that between September 19 and September 27, 2023, an unauthorized entity accessed and extracted data from the DSO's network.

It wasn't until March 26, 2024, that the DSO confirmed personal information had indeed been compromised. The types of consumer information exposed included names, Social Security Numbers, driver's license numbers or state identification numbers, financial account numbers, and routing numbers.

The DSO has taken this breach seriously and has implemented additional security measures to fortify their systems against future incidents. They have also reported the breach to federal law enforcement and are cooperating with ongoing investigations.

For those affected, the DSO began sending out written notices on April 1, 2024, detailing the breach and the steps individuals can take to protect their personal information. The DSO is providing complimentary identity protection services, including 12 months of credit monitoring, identity restoration services, and identity protection insurance through Cyberscout, a TransUnion company specializing in fraud assistance and remediation services.

The breach has been disclosed to the Attorney General's offices in several states, including Maine, where 4 residents were affected, and Massachusetts. The disclosures can be found on the Maine Attorney General's website and the Massachusetts Attorney General's website. In total, 6,778 individuals in the United States have been affected by this breach.

Steps to Take if You Are Affected

If you believe you are affected by the DSO data breach, here are some steps you can take to safeguard your information:

1. Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your financial statements for any unauthorized transactions. If you spot anything suspicious, contact your financial institution immediately.

1. Credit Reports: Obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies once every 12 months. You can do this by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.

1. Fraud Alerts: Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports. This warns creditors of possible unauthorized activity and asks them to verify your identity before opening new accounts.

1. Credit Freeze: You may place a security freeze on your credit reports, which will prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent.

1. IRS Identity Protection PIN: Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. This is a six-digit number that helps prevent someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number.

1. Identity Protection Services: Enroll in the complimentary identity protection services provided by the DSO through Cyberscout. Make sure to enroll before the deadline on June 30, 2024.

1. Stay Informed: For more information and assistance, you can reach out to the DSO's dedicated helpline at 1-833-919-9503, available for 90 days from the date of the notice.

Remember, the DSO is committed to maintaining the privacy and security of all personal information and deeply regrets any concern or inconvenience this incident may cause. For further details, visit the DSO's official website at dso.org.