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August 2023
President’s Message
It has been brought to my attention that many VRTA members have received a letter from PBI, Pension Benefit Information, LLC. The Virginia Retirement System contracts with PBI to help VRS accurately make benefit payments. PBI has advised VRS that certain data files that VRS had shared with PBI have been subject to unauthorized access. The VRS data that MAY HAVE BEEN ACCESSED includes the names, partial addresses, dates of birth, and social security numbers of certain VRS participants.
Some members may have received more than one letter from PBI dealing with this global security incident, because many firms use the MOVEit software that was affected, Genworth Financial, TIAA, Fidelity, and Schwab are some of the companies that were affected by the unauthorized access. Please be on the lookout for these letters in addition to the PBI letter concerning VRS.
Once PBI learned of the unauthorized access, steps were taken to patch servers, assess the security of their systems, and notify potentially affected customers, hence the letter you may have received from PBI.
PBI is unaware of any identity theft or fraud as a result of this event. PBI is offering members 12 months of complimentary credit monitoring and identity restoration through KROLL.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
1. Please take the time to carefully read the letter you received from PBI.
2. You have the opportunity to enroll in Kroll’s Monitoring Service by November 1, 2023. You can activate your identity monitoring service by https://enroll.krollmonitoring.com
3. Make sure you have your unique membership number, which is found in the letter.
4. Take the time to go to the VRS website at https://www.varetire.org, click on What’s New, and read what they have to say about the PBI Information Security Incident.
5. Take advantage of US law which entitles you to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com.
6. After reading the PBI letter and looking at the VRS website, call them if you have any questions or concerns.
7. Be aware that many of you have credit cards and financial institutions that automatically notify you of your credit scores and potential unauthorized usage.
The Virginia Retired Teachers Association is trying to present the facts to its members. We are not trying to alarm anyone, but we want you to be aware of the problem and the steps taken to keep you safe. Rest assured, your monthly pension will not be affected by the unauthorized usage of data.
I hope you find this letter useful and purposeful. Remember VRTA is here for all retired school personnel, to be safe, productive, informed, and financially secure in retirement.
One final note; Please consider registering for the VRTA fall conference, on Sept.26 and 27 in Richmond. We will update you on the situation, and VRS will also take your questions when they make their presentation. Go to our website www.vrta.org to register.
Jean Marrow
VRTA President
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