Governor McKee Extends Hours for RIBridges Data Breach Call Center

Hours for select DHS offices are also extended

 

PROVIDENCE, RI — Today, at Governor Dan McKee’s direction, the RIBridges Data Breach Hotline has been extended to operate on weekends as well as weekdays. The hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Operated by Experian, the multilingual, toll-free hotline is 833-918-6603.

 

Managed by Deloitte, RIBridges is the data system that manages a number of Rhode Island social service programs and benefits, including but not limited to:



·     Medicaid 

·     Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

·     Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 

·     Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) 

·     Health coverage purchased through HealthSource RI 

·     Rhode Island Works (RIW) 

·     Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) 

·     General Public Assistance (GPA) Program 

·     At HOME Cost Share

 

Experian staff will be able to provide general information about the threat as well as steps customers can take now to protect their personal information. Unfortunately, they will not be able to answer questions about state benefits or health care coverage. 

 

While the analysis of the data involved is still underway, call center staff will not be able to confirm if your data is included in the breach. However, once that analysis is complete, households who have had personal information compromised will be notified by mail. The letter, which will come from the state, will explain how impacted individuals can access free credit monitoring. 

 

“Rhode Islanders who have received or applied for services and benefits from such programs as SNAP, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families need to take crucial steps to protect their personal information now,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Our team remains committed to supporting those individuals and families through this challenge.” 

 

Additionally, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has extended the office hours of its Pawtucket office and two Providence offices to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, December 17, 18 and 19. DHS will also extend its call center hours on those days. That call center can be reached at 1-855-697-4347.

Addresses for the offices are: 

 

1 Reservoir Avenue 

Providence, RI 02907 

 

125 Holden Street 

Providence, RI 02908 

 

249 Roosevelt Avenue 

Pawtucket, RI 02860

 
 

Visit cyberalert.ri.gov for the latest information.

The Senate may not get to vote anytime soon on a measure that would end the government shutdown. That's because Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley still has the floor. Merkley has been speaking from his desk since 6:21 p.m. Tuesday, as the rules don't allow for a bathroom break or for him to sit-down. It probably won't matter because the procedural vote on the GOP-backed funding proposal has already failed to pass 11 times.        A new, GOP-friendly congressional map has passed in North Carolina. The GOP controls the state's legislature and today, the House passed the measure that would probably give Republicans an advantage in 11 out of 14 House seats from the state, up from the current ten. The redistricting battle started months ago, when Texas leaders re-drew maps to favor Republicans, followed by California's efforts to change maps to favor Democrats.        The head of NATO will meet with President Trump today in Washington, just after Trump pulled the plug on a second summit with Russia's leader. The meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte [[ RUH-tuh ]] was announced after a possible summit between Trump and Vladimir Putin was canceled by Trump, who called it a "waste of time." Trump continues to press Putin to end the Russia-Ukraine war.        The NYPD is distancing itself from a chaotic, federal ICE operation in Manhattan yesterday. Agents clashed with hundreds of protesters during a crackdown on illegal street vendors. The incident unfolded in Chinatown, in an area well known for its rows of counterfeit merchandise. The NYPD said it had no role in the federal operation.        Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event is an opportunity for people around the country to safely drop off and dispose of expired and unneeded prescription medications. Drop-off locations will be available in most communities.        NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is defending the decision to select Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show. Today, Goodell said the Puerto Rican artist is "one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world" and that's what the league tries to achieve. Bad Bunny has drawn the ire of Republicans, including President Trump, after the singer's criticism of ICE.