Protect you computer and your data


What Every Veteran Should Know About Identity Theft

Over 26.5 million veterans found themselvesshould go many steps further to protect their
at risk for identity theft in 2006 when ainformation, their benefits and the benefits
federal employee's lap top computer,for their family. Be sure to install virus
containing important personal informationand anti spyware to protect information
such as name, date of birth, address andcontained on your computer. Do not conduct
social security number, as well as benefitspersonal or financial business at work, as it
eligibility. Another 16,000 veterans were atputs you at risk of being overheard. You may
risk when a government contractor's lap topnot be as protected by the business computer
computer was stolen from his home. It is asecurity system as you think you are.
common practice for the VA to contract outConsider placing a "credit freeze" on your
certain jobs such as software support andcredit information. This requires the three
insurance billing and claims resolution to amajor credit agencies to contact you to
subcontractor. According to a statement"lift" the freeze before making any changes
issued by the Veterans Administration this isto or issuing any new credit in your name.
done in order to provide better customerYou may take steps yourself to perform the
service. But what happens when this "customercredit freeze or you may use a service such
service puts the customer at risk of identityas Trusted ID. In the event your credit,
theft and false claims for benefits? In thispersonal, financial or benefits information
the most recent incident, of a contractor,appears to be at risk or "stolen" you should
the contracting company, Unisys Corporationdo the following: dispute the information on
offered free credit reports to thoseyour credit report and ask the three major
affected. However, free annual credit reportscredit reporting agencies of TransUnion,
are already available through the Fair CreditExperian and Equifax to place a fraud flag on
Reporting Act. The Veteran's Administrationyour credit file. Contact the credit lenders
also claimed that it works closely withand advise them of the situation as stated on
contractors in developing the "highestyour credit report. Placing a fraud alert
standards" of protection and security.insures that additional steps are taken
However, it does not designate what systemsbefore new accounts or changes to existing
are in place to protect a veteran'saccount in your name can occur. Although
information. The federal employee who tookeveryone should review their Social Security
home veterans information on a laptopBenefit information to determine if their
computer was required to undergo computerbenefits have been illegally used, veterans
security and regulations training. Thousandsin particular should review both the Social
of people were or may have been affected bySecurity Benefits statement as well as their
this lack of stringent rules regarding theVeterans Benefits eligibility. To order a
protection of their information. And theSocial Security Benefits report, contact the
options available to them after theSocial Security Administration office. The
information may have been released were notfirst step for protecting veteran's
comforting. They were advised to obtain theirinformation is for government agencies and
free credit report, monitor it (at ancontractors to take those efforts necessary
additional charge to the veteran) and then toto protect this information. The next step is
report to local law enforcement authoritiesfor veteran's to do all that they can to keep
any problems with their credit or instancestheir information private. However, in the
of identity theft. Veteran's circumstancesevent these efforts are not effective
and the effects of identity theft are unique.veterans much report and dispute false or
Many veterans are recipients of additionalincorrect information on their credit report
benefits such as education and medical thator other service reports. It is necessary
most people are not. Their children may alsoafter reporting to the local law enforcement
be eligible for specific benefits, eitherto contact the Veteran's Administration
monetary, educational, home buying oroffice as well as your State's Attorney
medical. This makes identity theft, anGeneral's office and The Federal Trade
already serious problem, even moreCommission by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT
complicated. Veteran's whether they feel(1-877-438-4338).
their information is at risk or not should be
extra vigilant. In addition to taking many ofLisa Carey is a contributing author for
the steps to protect their personal,Identity Theft Secrets: prevention and
financial, and medical information theyprotection.



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