Another computer with veterans’ data stolen

[CommunityEditor]

In a déjà vu announcement, the Department of Veterans Affairs says a computer containing the names, Social Security numbers and birthdates of 12,000 veterans was taken over the Veterans’ Day weekend from the VA medical center in Indianapolis.

Three computers were taken from an unlocked room at the Roudebush VA medical center in Indianapolis, and one computer contained records that could be used for identity theft. Federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies are investigating.

The records are of veterans who had been treated as patients at the hospital. They could include information about what medical examinations the veterans had received but not the results of the exams.

“I am upset that the VA repeatedly fails to comply with its own policy to safeguard veterans’ personal information,” said Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., the former chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, who has been pushing VA to improve computer security.

“The VA must give immediate assurance to over 12,000 veterans that it will provide full credit monitoring and protection of sensitive personal information,” Buyer said.

A policy established earlier this year calls for immediate notification of everyone whose information is missing and a review of the potential threat of identity theft in such situations. Buyer was the chief sponsor of the legislation that created the policy.

If there is a risk of identity theft, VA policy calls for the government to provide free credit monitoring to those affected.



Article: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/20...ndata_071115w/

[leona]

Color me unsurprised. I'm not only an Army vet, but a 'vet' retired from the V.A. and absolutely can, can, understand why they didn't learn from the first theft.

Although I'm receiving much better care through the V.A. than I did in past years, they have a long way to go. Firing some of the deadwood that weights down the system would be a good first step, but politics and the unions won't let that happen.

As usual, the veterans pay the price.