Here is some good INFO for most of us here. Any of you that have left the service after 1975 is at RISK because of this <img src=newicons/anim_cussing.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_furious.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_bs.gif border=0 align=middle> having this stuff without permission on a "Laptop" that gets Stolen"<img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/idea.gif border=0 align=middle> Snipe I wont put my "Tin Hat" on just yet.
But here is some links and sites that are very much helpful to keep an EYE on your Data Name,SS# AND D.O.B. is all thats "SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN" I'll believe it when I see it.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20060523/pl_usnw/pva__veterans_affairs_reports_records_of265_million_veterans_stolen122_xml
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PVA: Veterans Affairs Reports Records of 26.5 Million Veterans Stolen Tue May 23, 12:02 PM ET
To: National Desk, Political Reporter
Contact: David J. Uchic of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 202-416-7667 or 202-368-7633 (cell)
WASHINGTON, May 23 /U.S. Newswire/ -- On Monday, May 22, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reported that records of more than 26.5 million veterans were stolen from an employee's home. A VA employee had taken home an electronic data file that contained veterans' names, birth dates and social security numbers, as well as some spousal information and some disability ratings. The burglary reportedly occurred May 3. The VA employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of investigations by the FBI and local law enforcement officials.
PVA President Randy L. Pleva Sr. expressed concern for these recent events. "I find it deeply troubling that the VA has allowed the personal information of so many millions of veterans to be compromised," stated Pleva. "Even more troubling is the fact that the VA did not notify the public about this incident until nearly three weeks after the information was stolen."
The VA has reported that no electronic health records or financial information was taken. The VA intends to send out notification letters to all veterans affected. Veterans can also go to
http://www.firstgov.gov as well as
http://www.va.gov/opa to get more information on this matter. Additionally, the VA has established 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 800-FED-INFO (333- 4636). The call center will be open beginning today, and will operate from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EDT), Monday through Saturday as long as it is needed.
"PVA hopes that the VA holds all individuals involved in this matter properly accountable for their actions," Pleva emphasized. "Simply placing this individual on administrative leave for jeopardizing the lives of so many veterans is wholly unacceptable."
PVA will work with the VA as well as Congress to ensure that proper protections are put in place to ensure that this type of incident does not occur again.
-----
Founded in 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease. PVA is a dynamic, broad-based organization with more than 21,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. To learn more about PVA, visit its Web site at
http://www.pva.org .
---http://www.usnewswire.com/
This is from the DAV sent to its members
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.
This should cover all the base's for any info you might need.
I spent a few hours this morning checking my Info and putting "Memo's" on the accounts" just in case.
Goose
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin,
(1706 - 1790)
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