M.D. Manouel Insurance Agency, Inc.
Notice of Data Security Incident
Fresno, CA – March 20, 2026 – The privacy and security of the personal information we maintain is of the utmost importance to M.D. Manouel Insurance Agency, Inc.
On or about August 21, 2025, we experienced unauthorized access to our network. Upon detecting the unauthorized activity, we immediately contained the incident and commenced an immediate and thorough investigation. As part of our investigation, we engaged leading cybersecurity experts to identify what personal information, if any, was involved.
An extensive forensic investigation determined that copies of certain files were acquired without authorization on or before August 21, 2025. After a comprehensive manual document review of those copied files, we discovered on March 5, 2026, that one or more of those files contained your personal information, such as full names, dates of birth, driver’s license and/or government-issued identification numbers, medical information, health insurance information, financial account numbers, and passport numbers. The elements of information varied per individual, and, for a limited number of individuals, Social Security numbers were also potentially involved.
We have no evidence of any identity theft or financial fraud related to this incident. However, out of an abundance of caution, commencing on March 20, 2026, M.D. Manouel Insurance Agency, Inc. notified individuals whose information was included in the files potentially accessed and/or acquired by the unauthorized party. Notified individuals have been provided with best practices to protect their information, and individuals whose Social Security numbers were contained in the impacted files have been offered complimentary credit monitoring.
M.D. Manouel Insurance Agency, Inc. is committed to maintaining the privacy of personal information in its possession and has taken many precautions to safeguard it. M.D. Manouel Insurance Agency, Inc. continually evaluates and modifies its practices to enhance the security and privacy of the personal information it maintains.
For individuals who have questions or need additional information regarding this incident, or to determine if they are impacted and are eligible for credit monitoring, M.D. Manouel Insurance Agency, Inc. has established a dedicated toll-free response line at 844-558-4394. The response line is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
– OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION –
1. Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File.
You may place an initial one-year “Fraud Alert” on your credit files, at no charge. A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you personally before they open any new accounts. To place a fraud alert, call any one of the three major credit bureaus at the numbers listed below. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, they will notify the others.
| Equifax P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-fraud-alerts/ (800) 525-6285 | Experian P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html (888) 397-3742 | TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Department P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016-2000 https://www.transunion.com/fraud-alerts (800) 680-7289 |
2. Consider Placing a Security Freeze on Your Credit File.
If you are very concerned about becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft, you may request a “Security Freeze” be placed on your credit file, at no charge. A security freeze prohibits, with certain specific exceptions, the consumer reporting agencies from releasing your credit report or any information from it without your express authorization. You may place a security freeze on your credit report by contacting all three nationwide credit reporting companies at the numbers below and following the stated directions or by sending a request in writing, by mail, to all three credit reporting companies:
| Equifax Security Freeze P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ (888)-298-0045 | Experian Security Freeze P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 http://experian.com/freeze (888) 397-3742 | TransUnion Security Freeze P.O. Box 160 Woodlyn, PA 19094 https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze (888) 909-8872 |
In order to place the security freeze, you’ll need to supply your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number and other personal information. After receiving your freeze request, each credit reporting company will send you a confirmation letter containing a unique PIN (personal identification number) or password. Keep the PIN or password in a safe place. You will need it if you choose to lift the freeze.
If your personal information has been used to file a false tax return, to open an account or to attempt to open an account in your name or to commit fraud or other crimes against you, you may file a police report in the City in which you currently reside.
3. Obtaining a Free Credit Report.
Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the above three major nationwide credit reporting companies. Call 1-877-322-8228 or request your free credit reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com. Once you receive your credit reports, review them for discrepancies. Identify any accounts you did not open or inquiries from creditors that you did not authorize. Verify all information is correct. If you have questions or notice incorrect information, contact the credit reporting company.
4. Additional Helpful Resources.
Even if you do not find any suspicious activity on your initial credit reports, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you check your credit reports periodically. Checking your credit report periodically can help you spot problems and address them quickly.
If you find suspicious activity on your credit reports or have reason to believe your information is being misused, call your local law enforcement agency and file a police report. Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report, as many creditors will want the information it contains to absolve you of the fraudulent debts. You may also file a complaint with the FTC by contacting them on the web at www.ftc.gov/idtheft, by phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338), or by mail at Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. Your complaint will be added to the FTC’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, where it will be accessible to law enforcement for their investigations. In addition, you may obtain information from the FTC about fraud alerts and security freezes.
If this notice letter states that your financial account information and/or credit or debit card information was impacted, we recommend that you contact your financial institution to inquire about steps to take to protect your account, including whether you should close your account or obtain a new account number.
5. Protecting Your Medical Information.
We have no evidence that your medical information involved in this incident was or will be used for any unintended purposes. However, the following practices can provide additional safeguards to protect against medical identity theft.
- Only share your health insurance cards with your health care providers and other family members who are covered under your insurance plan or who help you with your medical care.
- Review your “explanation of benefits statement” which you receive from your health insurance company. Follow up with your insurance company or care provider for any items you do not recognize. If necessary, contact the care provider on the explanation of benefits statement and ask for copies of medical records from the date of the potential access (noted above) to current date.
- Ask your insurance company for a current year-to-date report of all services paid for you as a beneficiary. Follow up with your insurance company or the care provider for any items you do not recognize.
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New Mexico Residents: You have rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) which include, among others, the right to know what is in your file; to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information; and to have consumer reporting agencies correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information. For more information, please visit www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf or www.ftc.gov.