VA Data Theft
Hit Counter
Since 05-24-06

From: "Lisa Bogle, Disabled American Veterans"
Sent: May 23, 2006 11:02 AM
Subject: VA Data Theft


M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Action E-List


FROM: David W. Gorman, Executive Director, Washington Headquarters

SUBJ: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DATA THEFT

DATE: May 23, 2006

I have included links below to vital information about the reported theft of personal information, including Social Security numbers and birth dates, of some 26.5 million veterans resulting from a serious lapse in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) security and privacy protection policies and procedures. Every veteran should stay alert to potential misuse of the stolen information by monitoring credit reports and financial statements.

The VA has set up a call center at 1-800-333-4636. Information can also be accessed on the web using the following links: http://www.firstgov.gov/veteransinfo.shtml, www.va.gov/opa , and http://www.dav.org/news/news_20060522.html .

If you detect suspicious activity regarding your credit card or bank account, the Federal Trade Commission recommends you take the following four steps:

Step 1: Contact the fraud department of one of the three major credit bureaus:
• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com ; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
• Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com ; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com ; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790.

Step 2: Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

Step 3: File a police report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

Step 4: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by using the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline by telephone: 1-877-438-4338, online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft,  or by mail at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20580.

As of this date, the DAV has written Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson to demand the immediate termination of the VA employee who took the stolen electronic data home with him in the first place and that the Department take urgent corrective action to safeguard the personal information of our nation’s veterans.

I hope this information is helpful to you.