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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> Important Information for Vets
        
(Message started by: Donna_D. on May 24^th, 2006, 10:27am)

Title: Important Information for Vets
Post by Donna_D. on May 24^th, 2006, 10:27am

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently learned that an employee, a data analyst, took home electronic data from the VA, which he was not authorized to do. This behavior was in violation of our policies. This data contained identifying information including names, social security numbers, and dates of birth for up to 26.5 million veterans and some spouses, as well as some disability ratings. Importantly, the affected data did not include any of VA's electronic health records nor any financial information. The employee's home was burglarized and this data was stolen. The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

Appropriate law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the VA Inspector General's office, have launched full-scale investigations into this matter. Authorities believe it is unlikely the perpetrators targeted the items because of any knowledge of the data contents. It is possible that they remain unaware of the information which they posses or of how to make use of it. However, out of an abundance of caution, the VA is taking all possible steps to protect and inform our veterans.

The VA is working with members of Congress, the news media, veterans service organizations, and other government agencies to help ensure that those veterans and their families are aware of the situation and of the steps they may take to protect themselves from misuse of their personal information. The VA will send out individual notification letters to veterans to every extent possible. Veterans can also go to www.firstgov.gov as well as www.va.gov/opa to get more information on this matter. The firstgov web site is being set to handle increased web traffic. Additionally, working with other government agencies, the VA has set up a manned call center that veterans may call to get information about this situation and learn more about consumer identity protections. That toll-free number is 1-800-FED INFO (333-4636). The call center will be open beginning today, and will operate from 8 am to 9 pm (EDT), Monday-Saturday as long as it is needed. The call center will be able to handle up to 20,000 calls per hour (260,000 calls per day).

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson has briefed the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, co-chairs of the President's Identity Theft Task Force. Task Force members have already taken actions to protect the affected veterans, including working with the credit bureaus to help ensure that veterans receive the free credit report they are entitled to under the law. Additionally, the Task Force will meet today, 22 May 2006, to coordinate the comprehensive Federal response, recommend further ways to protect affected veterans, and increase safeguards to prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents.

The VA's mission to serve and honor our nation's veterans is one we take very seriously and the 235,000 VA employees are deeply saddened by any concern or anxiety this incident may cause our veterans and their families. We appreciate the service our veterans have given their country and we are working diligently to protect them from any harm as a result of this incident.

My boss' husband is a Veteran. Yesterday he learned that someone submitted an address change for his disability check. DO NOT WAIT if you have not received your check, CALL NOW!!

On a personal note I think it is heinous for someone to do this to our Vets. Identity theft can cause problems for many years.

DD

Title: Re: Important Information for Vets
Post by Redd715 on May 24^th, 2006, 10:41am

I've been a victim of Identity theft myself, and know first hand the financial havoc it creates. In addition, the years I spent in the debt collection industry, analyzing and investigating people's credit histories, I've seen this effect the lives of others.

Please....be very aware of your financial situation, and always be on the lookout for fraud. You can get free copies of your credit reports from all three major credit reporting agencies once a year.

www.freecreditreport.com

I'll be happy to give advice to anyone who finds errors on their credit to clear it up if at all possible.

Title: Re: Important Information for Vets
Post by unsolved1 on May 24^th, 2006, 1:57pm

That data analysis should go directly to jail !! imo

I would assume that since that person is a data analysis, they would know that doing such a thing is a no-no ::) Maybe they should be held responsible for any and all damages or losses that the veterans may endure. :D

UNsolved

Title: Re: Important Information for Vets
Post by Tom K on May 24^th, 2006, 2:14pm

Yeah, accidentally taken home and stolen...ok, they broke in and only took that. Hmmm :-/

They should be looking for a chaulk mark on a curb, a window shade slightly at a different angle then the rest, etc. Someone wanted and paid for that data. Since he would never be able to pay back any money, if it were a large scale banking issue, I say we hang chum off his face and stick him out in the Atlantic off the coast of Florida. Maybe then people would stop identity theft...

Title: Re: Important Information for Vets
Post by echo on May 24^th, 2006, 2:20pm

Not to worry, the government is going to hold meetings about this. That should clear everything up quickly :-/

Thanks for sharing the story. The guy needs his hangies ripped off and stapled to his forehead.

Title: Re: Important Information for Vets
Post by kcopelin on May 24^th, 2006, 2:32pm

So, as a veteran who has alot of information floating around the Dept of Vet Affairs, I called. They assured me that they believe that it was a random burglary >:(my ass, I wasn't born yesterday-which by the way-right now someone else knows, along with my SSAN, medical data...)-I ran a credit report with all three agencies, put in a fraud alert to all three agencies and will be watching my stuff like a friggin hawk. The lady I spoke with assured me no medical information was included-except for vets on service connected disability-getting a pension-since I happen to be in the process of getting my service-connected up to 30% or more-they got my stuff.
What I want to know is why the hell any one analyst had all that data at his fingertips-why anyone would believe this is random (26.5 million people)-this really is something I didn't want to have to deal with right now.
All you vets out there-get your credit check it's free)-go to www.firstgov.gov and click on the link to this mess.
I suggest doing a fraud alert also. And if you get direct deposit of VA pension, notify your bank that you do not intend to change it.
This really pisses me off.
Sorry for venting...I usually don't get this angry and swear...crap...
kathy