Author Topic: Veterans BEWARE DATA (Read 799 times)

wrag · « **on:** May 22, 2006, 03:57:51 PM »

If you are a Vet check here!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.va.gov/

Your personal data could have been stolen and be used for identity theft?!?!?!

The VA is working on it but you may want to check into it!

rpm · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2006, 04:09:14 PM »

Yep, just read about this. Not good.

Quote

The data included names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth for the military veterans and some spouses, the department said, although there had as yet been no indication it had been used for identity theft. The electronic data related to everyone discharged from the military since 1975.

"We are going to send out an individual notification letter to every veteran to the extent possible," warning them of the risk of identity theft, Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson said.

Nicholson said the theft of the data from the employee's home took place this month, but declined to identify the employee, the location of the burglary or how long the employee had the data at his home.

Russian · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2006, 04:13:31 PM »

Lovely.....I want compensation for this fork up.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2006, 04:14:19 PM »

Lock and load guys ... We should string up that data geek .

rabbidrabbit · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2006, 04:16:33 PM »

I just read the article... what to say beyond unbelievable.

FiLtH · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2006, 04:31:37 PM »

I smell a rat.

Hangtime · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2006, 05:15:04 PM »

Henh. I'm so damn old I missed the cutoff.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2006, 05:18:42 PM »

Same here Hang. Something is amiss though. How did he get the information on 26.5 million vets to his house? You do not simply copy that to a disk and take it home. And what are the odds of being burglarized and the burglars take the data? And if the burglar(s) knew what was being taken, what motive would they have?

The whole thing stinks, but I cannot imagine why they would cover up the loss of the data. Or, did they lose it and need a scape-goat?

Shuckins · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 2006, 05:22:53 PM »

The fool working at the Veteran's Administration took the discs containing the data HOME with him!

His head should roll...literally.

Talk about frigging STUPID!

Hangtime · « **Reply #9 on:** May 22, 2006, 05:39:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
Same here Hang. Something is amiss though. How did he get the information on 26.5 million vets to his house? You do not simply copy that to a disk and take it home. And what are the odds of being burglarized and the burglars take the data? And if the burglar(s) knew what was being taken, what motive would they have?

The whole thing stinks, but I cannot imagine why they would cover up the loss of the data. Or, did they lose it and need a scape-goat?

had a similar deal with the bank.. called up said thier data had been compromised, needed to come down and get new ATM cards. Showed up and gave 'em the third degree. Got no reasonable answers. When they wanted to issue the new cards there was a fee.

Bingo.

Raised holy hell.. got the new cards for free.

I have no idea what the motivator is for this fed fiasco is though.

rpm · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2006, 05:58:37 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hangtime
I have no idea what the motivator is for this fed fiasco is though.

Maybe the NSA wanted to match up some of those phone calls but couldn't afford the publicity.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #11 on:** May 22, 2006, 06:22:33 PM »

i have to agree ... I smell a Ratt .. and somethings amiss

the usg just doesnt let user B take home info outta Box A ...

ever see a hard drive in a gov surplus action ? ... no.... because they number write them and then Destroy them .

I dont want to deal with identity crap again ... what a pain in the arse that was .... took 7 yrs btw to sort it all out .

eagl · « **Reply #12 on:** May 22, 2006, 06:26:21 PM »

Lots of people take work home with them and data packrats like myself like to keep things "just in case I need it" or "in case the boss calls", but this was pure poor judgement. And if there was a workplace policy or supervisor decision that led him to take it home, then those guys need to roast too.

I feel guilty taking home recall rosters...

Roscoroo · « **Reply #13 on:** May 22, 2006, 06:56:34 PM »

from http://www.va.gov

"The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently learned that an employee, a data analyst, took home electronic data from the VA, which he was not authorized to do. This behavior was in violation of our 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. Importantly, the affected data did not include any of VA's electronic health records nor any financial information. 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."

admin leave my arse ....he should be in a nice cell with a jar of starved ratts glued to his face .

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 22, 2006, 10:46:52 PM »

Well, I might forgive him, if he has a good enough excuse. I cringe to think that no one else in this post has ever ****ed up big.

But if I was the criminal who stole the data, I'd be wary about using it. What happens to pedophiles in jail would be like a weekend retreat compared to what would happen to this guy.