| Over 26.5 million veterans found themselves | | | | should go many steps further to protect their |
| at risk for identity theft in 2006 when a | | | | information, their benefits and the benefits |
| federal employee's lap top computer, | | | | for their family. Be sure to install virus |
| containing important personal information | | | | and anti spyware to protect information |
| such as name, date of birth, address and | | | | contained on your computer. Do not conduct |
| social security number, as well as benefits | | | | personal or financial business at work, as it |
| eligibility. Another 16,000 veterans were at | | | | puts you at risk of being overheard. You may |
| risk when a government contractor's lap top | | | | not be as protected by the business computer |
| computer was stolen from his home. It is a | | | | security system as you think you are. |
| common practice for the VA to contract out | | | | Consider placing a "credit freeze" on your |
| certain jobs such as software support and | | | | credit information. This requires the three |
| insurance billing and claims resolution to a | | | | major credit agencies to contact you to |
| subcontractor. According to a statement | | | | "lift" the freeze before making any changes |
| issued by the Veterans Administration this is | | | | to or issuing any new credit in your name. |
| done in order to provide better customer | | | | You may take steps yourself to perform the |
| service. But what happens when this "customer | | | | credit freeze or you may use a service such |
| service puts the customer at risk of identity | | | | as Trusted ID. In the event your credit, |
| theft and false claims for benefits? In this | | | | personal, financial or benefits information |
| the most recent incident, of a contractor, | | | | appears to be at risk or "stolen" you should |
| the contracting company, Unisys Corporation | | | | do the following: dispute the information on |
| offered free credit reports to those | | | | your credit report and ask the three major |
| affected. However, free annual credit reports | | | | credit reporting agencies of TransUnion, |
| are already available through the Fair Credit | | | | Experian and Equifax to place a fraud flag on |
| Reporting Act. The Veteran's Administration | | | | your credit file. Contact the credit lenders |
| also claimed that it works closely with | | | | and advise them of the situation as stated on |
| contractors in developing the "highest | | | | your credit report. Placing a fraud alert |
| standards" of protection and security. | | | | insures that additional steps are taken |
| However, it does not designate what systems | | | | before new accounts or changes to existing |
| are in place to protect a veteran's | | | | account in your name can occur. Although |
| information. The federal employee who took | | | | everyone should review their Social Security |
| home veterans information on a laptop | | | | Benefit information to determine if their |
| computer was required to undergo computer | | | | benefits have been illegally used, veterans |
| security and regulations training. Thousands | | | | in particular should review both the Social |
| of people were or may have been affected by | | | | Security Benefits statement as well as their |
| this lack of stringent rules regarding the | | | | Veterans Benefits eligibility. To order a |
| protection of their information. And the | | | | Social Security Benefits report, contact the |
| options available to them after the | | | | Social Security Administration office. The |
| information may have been released were not | | | | first step for protecting veteran's |
| comforting. They were advised to obtain their | | | | information is for government agencies and |
| free credit report, monitor it (at an | | | | contractors to take those efforts necessary |
| additional charge to the veteran) and then to | | | | to protect this information. The next step is |
| report to local law enforcement authorities | | | | for veteran's to do all that they can to keep |
| any problems with their credit or instances | | | | their information private. However, in the |
| of identity theft. Veteran's circumstances | | | | event 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 additional | | | | incorrect information on their credit report |
| benefits such as education and medical that | | | | or other service reports. It is necessary |
| most people are not. Their children may also | | | | after reporting to the local law enforcement |
| be eligible for specific benefits, either | | | | to contact the Veteran's Administration |
| monetary, educational, home buying or | | | | office as well as your State's Attorney |
| medical. This makes identity theft, an | | | | General's office and The Federal Trade |
| already serious problem, even more | | | | Commission 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 of | | | | Lisa Carey is a contributing author for |
| the steps to protect their personal, | | | | Identity Theft Secrets: prevention and |
| financial, and medical information they | | | | protection. |