FC Posted May 23, 2006 Report Share Posted May 23, 2006 Electronic data for 26.5 million veterans stolen May 22, 2006 WASHINGTON (Army News Service, May 22, 2006) – Electronic data including names, social security numbers and dates of birth for up to 26.5 million veterans and some spouses, as well as disability ratings, have been stolen. The electronic data was burglarized from the home of a Department of Veterans Affairs employee who violated organization policies by taking the data home. The FBI, VA Inspector General’s office and law-enforcement agencies have launched an investigation, and the employee is on administrative leave pending an outcome. “Authorities believe it is unlikely the perpetrators targeted the items because of any knowledge of data contents,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson in a notification letter to veterans. “It is possible that they remain unaware of the information or how to make use of it.” “VA is taking all possible steps to protect and inform our veterans,” said Nicholson, adding that no evidence suggests the data has been used. VA is working with Congress, the news media, veterans service organizations and other government agencies to ensure veterans and their families are aware of the situation and know how to protect themselves from misuse of their personal information. Task Force members are working with credit bureaus to help ensure veterans receive free credit reports, and will meet today to coordinate Federal response and increase safeguards to prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents. More information is available at . Veterans may also call (800)-FED-INFO to learn about consumer-identity protections. The call center will be open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT Monday through Saturday as long as it is needed. “The call center will be able to handle up to 20,000 calls per hour, or 260,000 calls per day,” Nicholson added. “The men and women of VA take our obligation to honor and serve America’s veterans very seriously and we are committed to seeing this never happens again,” he said. (Editor's note: Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doble Troble Posted May 23, 2006 Report Share Posted May 23, 2006 Whoops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fritz Posted May 24, 2006 Report Share Posted May 24, 2006 I read that it was mostly the data on veterans that served or got out after 1975, or those with a record of activity with the VA. Neither fits me. fritz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FC Posted May 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2006 The news said now the family members' data probably got out too. The VA boss waited two weeks to tell the FBI. Covering his/her fanny, I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailormilan2 Posted May 25, 2006 Report Share Posted May 25, 2006 Awfull convenient. Guy takes home a disc, containing personal info on millions of people (and worth millions to the right person), and it just happens to get stolen. I don't think much of coincidences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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