NOTICE OF DATA SECURITY EVENT

If you have questions, please call 1-855-201-0132, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Pacific Time.

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Pierce County Library System (“PCLS”) is providing notice of a recent incident that may affect the privacy of certain individuals’ personal information. While PCLS is unaware of any attempted or actual misuse of information, below are details of the incident, PCLS’ response, and steps individuals may take to better protect their personal information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.

What Happened? PCLS recently learned that its computer network was subject to unauthorized access between April 15 and April 21, 2025 and certain files were copied and taken. In response, PCLS undertook a thorough review of the impacted computers and servers to determine what information was present and to whom it relates. On May 23, 2025, PCLS determined that certain information related to patrons was located within the files subject to unauthorized access.

What Information Was Involved? Information that was impacted includes name and date of birth.

PCLS takes the confidentiality, privacy, and security of information in its care very seriously. Upon discovering the issue, PCLS immediately commenced an investigation to confirm the nature and scope, and to identify what information could have been affected.

PCLS encourages individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing account statements and monitoring free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Please also review the enclosed Steps You Can Take to Protect Personal Information, which includes additional information on what you can do to protect your information against misuse, should you feel it necessary to do so.

Whom Should Individuals Contact for More Information? We understand you may have questions about the incident that are not addressed in this letter. If you have questions, please call 1-855-201-0132, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Pacific Time. You may also write to us at Pierce County Library System, 3005 112th St. E, Tacoma, WA 98446.

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Monitor Your Accounts

Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Consumers may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of their credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If consumers are the victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in a consumer’s name without consent. However, consumers should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in their credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application they make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on their credit report. To request a credit freeze, individuals may need to provide some or all of the following information:

1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
2. Social Security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;
5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and
7. A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if they are a victim of identity theft.

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