Attention all Military Veterans............

[Ed Ely]

A worker improperly took some information home and now thieves have a computer disk with sensitive personal data on millions of U.S. veterans. The worker's home was burglarized and the disk was stolen. The government said the 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.The affected data did not include any of VA's electronic health records nor any financial information, the government said. The information involved mainly those veterans who served and have been discharged since 1975. Data of veterans discharged before 1975 who submitted claims to the agency may have been included.

VA Secretary Jim Nicholson said there's no evidence the thieves used the data for identity theft, and an investigation continues. He said the thieves may not know what they have. Authorities believe it is unlikely the burglars targeted the items because of any knowledge of the data contents and said it's possible that they remain unaware of the information that they possess or of how to make use of it. The department has come under criticism for shoddy accounting and for falling short on the needs of veterans. Last year, more than 260,000 veterans could not sign up for services because of cost- cutting. Nicholson said he doesn't know how many of the department's employees undergo background investigations. He said employees who have access to large volumes of personal data should be required to. Veterans advocates expressed alarm. Bob Wallace, executive director of Veterans of Foreign Wars called it & quote; a very serious breach of security for American veterans and their families. & quot; The incident involved a midlevel data analyst who had taken the information home to suburban Maryland on a laptop to work on a department project earlier this month. The residential community had been a target of a series of burglaries when the employee was victimized earlier this month, according to the FBI in Baltimore. Local law enforcement and the VA inspector general were also investigating.Nicholson said he does not believe the VA employee was involved in the theft, but the man has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Sen. John Kerry, D- Mass., who is a Vietnam veteran, said he would introduce legislation to require the VA to provide credit reports to the veterans affected by the theft. The VA will send out individual notification letters to veterans and has set up a call center and Web site, www.firstgov.gov , for veterans who believe their information has been misused. That toll free number is 1-800-FED INFO (1-800-333-4636). The government said the call center will operate from 8 am to 9 pm (EDT), Monday-Saturday as long as it is needed.

*What To Do?*Although there is no evidence any missing data has been used illegally, the Department of Veterans Affairs is asking all veterans to be extra vigilant and to carefully monitor bank statements, credit card statements and any statements relating to recent financial transactions. Those who may notice unusual or suspicious activity are asked to report it immediately to the financial institution involved and contact the Federal Trade Commission for further guidance.The VA said it does not believe that it is necessary for veterans to contact financial institutions or cancel credit cards and bank accounts, unless they detect suspicious activity.The Federal Trade Commission recommends the following four steps for those who detect suspicious activity:

*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, Texas 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 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 Ave. NW, Washington DC 20580.

From a major news source. Hope this helps.

Personally, I am going to the Social Security office today
and getting a new social security number. For sure, I will
also be taking the advice that is given above also.

Ed

[Dhunter55]

Thanks for posting that Ed.

[Corey G]

As my father is a veteran for this time period specifically, he told me as a dependent to also be on the look out as that information was included in the files that where stolen. Problem with identify theft is by the time you know its happening its already far enough along to be a big problem for years to come.

[LTC-USA]

This is the second time. Tricare was the first. Glad they are taking care of us.

[FDC]

Good info, thanks Ed. I'll make sure to pass it on to some of my guys who recently got out.

[Ed Ely]

2 Teens Accused in Theft of VA Computer

Published: 8/5/06, 9:05 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two teenagers were arrested Saturday in the theft of a laptop and hard drive containing sensitive data on up to 26.5 million veterans and military personnel, authorities said.
The equipment was stolen May 3 during a burglary at the Maryland home of a Veterans Affairs employee. The laptop and hard drive were turned into the FBI June 28 by an unidentified person in response to a $50,000 reward offer.

The equipment contained the names, Social Security numbers and birth dates of veterans discharged since 1975, in what was the worst-ever breach of government data.

Jesus Alex Pineda, 19, and Christian Brian Montano, 19, both of Rockville, Md., were arrested early Saturday, Montgomery County police said.
Pineda was charged with first-degree burglary and theft over $500. Montano was charged with first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit first-degree burglary, theft over $500, and conspiracy to commit theft over $500.

Police said charges were pending against a third male suspect who is a juvenile.

"I commend the FBI, Montgomery County Police, VA's Office of Inspector General and other law enforcement agencies for their professionalism and diligence throughout this investigation," Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson said in a statement. "Today's announcement that arrests have been made is good news."

Authorities said the suspects did not specifically target the VA employee's home in Aspen Hill, Md., and did not realize the hard drive contained veterans' information until the case was publicized.

Police did not have any information about attorneys for the suspects. A bond hearing could be held Monday at the earliest, officials said.
The VA announced last month that the FBI has determined with a high degree of confidence that the files were not compromised.

"While this arrest is good news, we were lucky that the data belonging to veterans was not accessed and misused," Steve Buyer, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said in a statement.

"The vulnerability is real and with the help of Congress, VA must move forward with information security reform," said Buyer, R-Ind.

Congress is investigating the steps leading up to and after the theft. It also is pondering legislation to improve information security.

Ed