Frequently asked questions

Was any parent data misplaced?

No. The only information lost pertains to students and includes name, Social Security number and family income.

What was lost?

Information taken from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms submitted to Berry during the 2005-06 academic year. Please note that the forms themselves are secure. Also, not all of the data collected on the forms is missing, only very limited fields of information. This data was in hard copy and digital form.

Were Berry’s computer databases compromised in any way?

No. Those systems are secure.

Was the information stolen?

No. The data was misplaced by an external consultant working with the financial aid office.

Why did a third party have access to this information?

The company in question, Financial Aid Services, provides support and services for a number of colleges and universities around the country. For more, go to www.financialaidservices.org.

When was Berry notified?

Berry officials were notified Monday that the data had been misplaced.

Has the missing data been recovered?

No. We are working with law enforcement and Financial Aid Services to find and secure the missing files. However, even if the files are located, we will continue to recommend that students take advantage of the free credit monitoring service that Berry has arranged through Equifax. Our goal from the beginning has been to protect students in the unlikely event that the data is compromised in any way.

Is there any evidence of fraudulent activity?

No. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the data has been accessed improperly or used for fraudulent purposes.

Who is affected?

A total of 2,093 students or potential students who submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to Berry in 2005-06 are affected. Of those, 1,322 are currently enrolled at the college.

How do I know if I am affected?

All those affected were notified via campus or U.S. mail Wednesday afternoon. Letters also have gone out to the parents of any student or former student involved.

If I have received a letter, what should I do?

If you are a student or former student and have received a letter, please note the individualized pass code that will allow you to register with Equifax to have your credit monitored free of charge for the next 12 months. You can access the Equifax Web site through Berry’s Information Security Web page, www.berry.edu/stulife/idprotect/equifax.asp.

What protection will the Equifax program provide for me?

Equifax 3-in-1 Monitoring, which is the strongest level of protection offered, includes the following features:

• Daily alerts of key changes to your credit files from ANY of the three major credit reporting agencies
• Unlimited Equifax credit reports
• Up to $20,000 of Identity Fraud Expense Coverage with no deductible.

For more information about this service as well as instructions for signing up, go to www.berry.edu/stulife/idprotect/equifax.asp.

What is Berry doing to ensure that this does not happen again?

Administrators are examining all policies and procedures related to this incident and will take any steps necessary to be sure that confidential data is always secure.

Where should I go for further information?

Anyone wishing to ask questions or voice concerns is encouraged to call Berry’s toll-free information security hotline at 1-800-961-4963, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also log on to www.berry.edu/stulife/idprotect for the latest updates.

What if I need to reach someone this weekend?

If you have an immediate need for information, call 706-236-2207 or e-mail dheida@berry.edu and leave a message for Dean of Students Debbie Heida. She will be checking voice mail and e-mail throughout the weekend and will return your message.