The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is reminding consumers to take extra precautions regarding identity theft protection following a security breach at Anthem, Inc.

The Indiana-based health insurer provides coverage for 37 million policyholders. State regulators have learned the cybersecurity hack may have also compromised data of past enrollees, which could mean as many as one in four Americans – 80 million people – could be exposed to risk.

“Regulators from states affected by the breach are meeting with Anthem executives on a daily basis and consumers can be assured we are asking the company to provide the best possible protection to all current and former policyholders,” said Monica J. Lindeen, NAIC President and Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. “We appreciate the identity protection services being put into place by Anthem, but reviewing the scope and implications of this event will be a long process.”

Regulators have called for a multi-state examination of Anthem its affiliates. The NAIC Cybersecurity (EX) Task Force will monitor these efforts, update best practices and determine whether regulatory action is warranted.

Past and present policyholders are urged to find information provided by Anthem on their website. Anthem has committed to contacting affected policyholders with specific information regarding protective measures. Further information may be provided by your state insurance department.

“We encourage consumers to carefully review financial statements and routinely monitor credit reports from one of the national credit reporting companies,” said North Dakota Insurance Commissioner and Cybersecurity Task Force Chair Adam Hamm.

A free credit report is available online at www.annualcreditreport.com.