A serious lapse in security has led to the theft of sensitive and confidential information for over 26.5 million Veterans.

Identity Theft impacts 26.5 million Veterans
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003012577_datatheft23.html

The burglary occurred May 3 in Wheaton, Md., according to a source with knowledge of the incident who requested anonymity because the matter is under investigation.  A career data analyst, who was not authorized to take the information home, has been put on administrative leave pending the outcome of investigations by the FBI, local police and inspector general of the VA, Nicholson said. He would not identify the employee by name or title. 

"They believe this was a random burglary and not targeted at this data," Nicholson said. "There have been a series of burglaries in that community. ... There is no indication at all that any use is being made of this data or even that they know that they have it."

Guarding against identity theft

The Veterans Affairs Department says it is not necessary for veterans to contact financial institutions or cancel credit cards and bank accounts in case of identity theft. Here is what veterans can do to protect themselves:

Be vigilant. Carefully monitor bank and credit-card statements. Report unusual activity immediately to the financial institution involved and contact the Federal Trade Commission.

If you detect suspicious or unusual activity, do the following:

• Contact the fraud department of one of the three major credit bureaus:

• Close any account that has been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

• File a report with your local police department or the police department in the community where the identity theft took place.

• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by using its identity-theft hotline at 877-438-4338, online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or by mail at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580.

Source: Veterans Affairs