ROCHESTER - New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric, subsidiaries of Iberdrola USA, today began sending precautionary notifications to customers advising them of unauthorized access to customer data. This situation involves an employee at an independent software development consulting firm (contracted by NYSEG and RG&E) who allowed unauthorized access to one of the companies’ customer information systems. The customer records contain Social Security numbers, dates of birth and, in some cases, financial institution account numbers.  

There is no evidence that any customer data have actually been misused, or that there was any malicious intent. NYSEG and RG&E have consulted with law enforcement and engaged computer forensics experts. The companies’ investigation is ongoing and the companies will continue to provide law enforcement with their full assistance. 

“We take our responsibility to protect customer information very seriously and we have robust information technology security measures in place,” said Mark Lynch, president of NYSEG and RG&E. “The matter was reported to law enforcement authorities, and as a precautionary measure, we are offering NYSEG and RG&E customers the option of a credit monitoring service at no charge.”
 
A help line has been established to assist NYSEG and RG&E customers. The help line numbers are 1.877.736.4495 (toll-free) and 1.479.573.7373 (for international callers). The help line will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

NYSEG and RG&E have arranged for Experian to offer customers the option of a year of credit monitoring free of charge, to help identify possible fraudulent activity.

Additional information about this matter is available on the companies’ websites at www.nyseg.com and www.rge.com.