UUPers in state service between 1999 and 2005 are urged to be on the lookout for possible identity theft.

The warning comes on the heels of news that Express Scripts—the company that previously administered the state’s prescription drug program—experienced a security breach in October 2008. The company reported that an unknown person gained unauthorized access to the personal information of some 20 million people, putting them at risk of identity theft.

The Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) informed UUP that there has been no reported misuse of any personal information stolen from Express Scripts, as of Sept. 24, 2009. UUP members who were hired on or after Jan. 1, 2006, are not affected.

GOER and Civil Service rejected UUP’s demand that they put pressure on Express Scripts to pay for identity theft protection for UUP members.

Members with proof of compromised information are urged to contact the FBI at (800) CALL-FBI.

“While it’s always a good idea to check your credit report, it is especially important when personal information has been compromised,” noted UUP President Phillip Smith. He recommends taking the following steps:

• Place a security/fraud alert on your credit bureau file;

• Contact the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4338 if you spot abuse;

• Close any compromised accounts;

• Periodically check your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com or at (877) 322-8228;

• Consider enrolling in the NYSUT Member Benefits Trust endorsed Identity Theft Program, at an annual cost of $69.99, at (800) 626-8101.

More information is also available at www.esisupports.com or on the UUP Web site at www.uupinfo.org.

— Karen L. Mattison