Veterans ID Theft?

Air Force & Army Veterans Bobby & John Sowell

Incompetent Government Employees?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently learned that an employee, took home electronic data from the VA, which he was not authorized to do. This behavior was in violation of VA policies. This 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 employee's home was burglarized and this data was stolen. The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

The theft of veterans' names, social security numbers and dates of birth comes as the department has come under criticism for sloppy accounting practices 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. Audits also have shown the agency used misleading accounting methods and lacked documentation to prove its claimed savings. Veterans advocates immediately expressed alarm.

The questions are, when in May did this happen and how did the VA learn about the innocent? And why did it happen? Shouldn't there have been safe guards in place where this could not have happened? Will this employee be fired? These and other question must be answered.

As a Vietnam Veteran, I call for an Immediate and thorough Congressional Investigation and complete overhaul of the VA. Veterans deserve all the respect and proper handling of their most personal Information. We were once called on to serve our county, now it's time for the country to be called on and serve the veteran. I will say that the VA has improved in recent years compared to the 70's. My medical attention is actual very good once I pass the adminstration part. I have experience several foul ups at the VA but chalked it up to the work force and government red tape.



Information for veterans suspecting identity theft:
http://www.firstgov.gov or phone 1-800-FED-INFO