Info for Veterans -

[Guest guest]

A Statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs

Monday, May 22, 2006; 1:34 PM

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently

learned that an employee, a data analyst, took home

electronic data from 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 s stolen. The

employee has been placed on administrative leave

pending the outcome of an investigation.

Appropriate law enforcement agencies, including the

FBI and the VA Inspector General's office, have

launched full-scale investigations into this matter.

Authorities believe it is unlikely the perpetrators

targeted the items because of any knowledge of the

data contents. It is possible that they remain unaware

of the information which they possess or of how to

make use of it. However, out of an abundance of

caution, VA is taking all possible steps to protect

and inform our veterans.

VA is working with members of Congress, the news

media, veterans service organizations, and other

government agencies to help ensure that those veterans

and their families are aware of the situation and of

the steps they may take to protect themselves from

misuse of their personal information. VA will send out

individual notification letters to veterans to every

extent possible. Veterans can also go to

www.firstgov.gov to get more information on this

matter. This website is being set to handle increased

web traffic. Additionally, working with other

government agencies, VA has set up 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 1-800-FED INFO

(333-4636). The call center will be open beginning

today, and will operate from 8 am to 9 pm (EDT),

Monday-Saturday as long as it is needed. The call

center will be able to handle up to 20,000 calls per

hour (260,000 calls per day).

Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. Nicholson has

briefed the Attorney General and the Chairman of the

Federal Trade Commission, co-chairs of the President's

Identity Theft Task Force. Task Force members have

already taken actions to protect the affected

veterans, including working with the credit bureaus to

help ensure that veterans receive the free credit

report they are entitled to under the law.

Additionally, the Task Force will meet today to

coordinate the comprehensive Federal response,

recommend further ways to protect affected veterans,

and increase safeguards to prevent the reoccurrence of

such incidents. VA's mission to serve and honor our

nation's veterans is one we take very seriously and

the 235,000 VA employees are deeply saddened by any

concern or anxiety this incident may cause our

veterans and their families. We appreciate the service

our veterans have given their country and we are

working diligently to protect them from any harm as a

result of this incident.