Bridgeton Public Schools

Office of the Superintendent

Thomas C. Lane, IV

Administration Building

41 Jack Surrency Way

Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302

Celeste L. Merriweather, Ph.D.                                                                     Tel: (856) 455-8030, ext. 2000

Superintendent of Schools                                                                                          Fax: (856) 455-0176

Email: [email protected]

 

April 2, 2026

 

The privacy and security of the personal information we maintain is of the utmost importance to the Bridgeton Board of Education.

 

What Happened?

We discovered an unauthorized person accessed our computer systems on or around April 17, 2025.

 

What We Are Doing.

We immediately investigated the incident to determine if the unauthorized individual accessed or copied

any data.

 

What Information Was Involved?

Based on our investigation, we discovered on March 16, 2026, that certain data was copied from our

network. The potential information copied could have included one or more of the following: Social

Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, other government identification numbers, and/or financial

account information.

 

What You Can Do.

To date, we are not aware of any reports of identity fraud or improper use of any information as a direct

result of this incident. To be safe, and because we value our relationship with you, we are providing this

notice along with steps potentially affected individuals may take in order to protect themselves, including

enrolling in complimentary credit monitoring services, placing a fraud alert/security freeze on their credit

files, obtaining free credit reports, remaining vigilant in reviewing financial account statements and credit

reports for fraudulent or irregular activity, and taking steps to safeguard against medical identity theft.

 

For More Information.

Please accept our apologies that this incident occurred. We are committed to protecting the privacy of

personal information in our possession and have taken many steps to safeguard it. We evaluate and modify our practices and internal controls to protect the security and privacy of personal information.

 

Individuals with questions concerning this incident may call a dedicated and confidential toll-free

response line that we have set up to respond to questions at 844-425-3635. The response line is

available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 9:00pm, Eastern Time.

 

 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

Enrolling in Complimentary 12-Month Credit Monitoring Services

We are making complimentary 12-month credit monitoring services available to all potentially impacted

individuals. To obtain enrollment information, please call the dedicated and confidential toll-free response

line that we have set up to respond to questions at 844-425-3635. The response line is available Monday

through Friday, 9:00am to 9:00pm, Eastern Time.

 

Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File.

We recommend that you 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/creditreport- services/credit-fraud-alerts/ (800) 525-6285

Experian P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 https://www.experian.com/fraud/ce nter.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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.