Congressman Robin Hayes Alerts Veterans

To Watch for Identity Theft

Stolen VA Computer Could Put Veterans’ Personal Data at Risk

WASHINGTON, DC–Congressman Robin Hayes (NC-08) warned Veterans that the recent theft of a computer from a Veterans Affairs Administration employee may put as many as 26.5 million Veterans and their spouses at risk for identity theft.  Hayes encouraged concerned Veterans not to panic and to monitor their credit reports and bank accounts for any suspicious activity.

“It is unthinkable that the personal information of almost every Veteran in America could be compromised in this fashion,” said Hayes.  “Hopefully this information will not be misused, but it is important for Veterans to be aware of their account activity and look for anything that might be suspicious.  Veterans should not panic, be alert, and if they are suspicious immediately call the police and their financial institutions.”

Today, the Associated Press reported: “Thieves took sensitive personal information on 26.5 million U.S. veterans, including Social Security numbers and birth dates, after a Veterans Affairs employee improperly brought the material home, the government said Monday. The information involved mainly those veterans who served and have been discharged since 1975, said VA Secretary Jim Nicholson. Data of veterans discharged before 1975 who submitted claims to the agency may have been included. Nicholson said there was no evidence the thieves had used the data for identity theft, and an investigation was continuing.”

Veterans can go to www.firstgov.gov as well as www.va.gov/opa to get more information on this matter. 

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 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).

The non-profit, Call for Action offers the following advice on identity theft and what to do if you are a victim. http://www.callforaction.org

Warning Signs that Identity Theft has Occurred:

• Your monthly credit card and bank statements suddenly stop arriving.
• You are denied credit for no apparent reason.
• You start getting bills from companies you do not recognize.
• Credit collection agencies try to collect on debts that do not belong to you.

What to do if You Are a Victim:

Despite your best efforts to protect yourself, you have become a victim. Now what? The following steps should be taken immediately and at the same time to best insure your protection.

Record Keeping
In the process of resolving the theft of your identity, be sure to keep records of all correspondence with the creditors and government agencies you contact. Include the date and name of contact. Follow up all telephone contacts with a letter and keep a copy.

Creditors
Notify all creditors and financial institutions in writing and by phone that your name and accounts have been used without your permission. If an existing account has been stolen, ask the creditor or bank to issue you new cards, checks and account numbers. Carefully monitor your account activity on your statements. Report fraudulent activity to the issuing company immediately. The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) is a federal law that limits a consumer's responsibility for fraudulent charges to $50.

Local Law Enforcement
Immediately report the crime to local police. Provide them with as much documentation as possible. Make sure that the accounts are listed on the police report. Also, get a copy of the police report. Credit card companies, banks and credit reporting agencies may require you to show a police report to support your claim that a crime was committed.

Federal Law Enforcement
Report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC collects complaints about identity theft from consumers and stores them in a secure online database called the Consumer Sentinel that is available to law enforcement agencies worldwide. The FTC provides information on ways to resolve problems resulting from identity theft and refers individuals to various private and government agencies for further action.

Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20580
1-877-IDTHEFT
www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

The Credit Reporting Agencies
Contact the fraud units of the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. Ask them to place a fraud alert on your credit report to help prevent new fraudulent accounts from being opened. Keep track of when it expires so you can ask for another one if necessary. However, not all creditors check your credit report before issuing a new account.

As an ID fraud victim, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report. Also, ask the agencies for a copy of your credit report every three months once you have become a victim. This can help determine how many and which accounts listed are fraudulent. You can also identify the existing accounts that have been stolen.

To opt-out of receiving pre-approved credit card offers, call 1-888-5-opt-out

Utility Companies
Ask utility companies (local and long distance telephone service providers, gas, electric and water companies) to watch out for anyone ordering services in your name. If someone has ordered services in your name, cancel those accounts. If you are having trouble with falsified accounts, contact your state Public Utility Commission.