Stolen Vet Data Could Include Active Duty Personnel: VA

The Veterans Administration (VA) has disclosed that a duplicate computer database stolen from a VA employee’s home last month, then believed to contain personal information on up to 26.5 million veterans, could also contain data on as many as 50,000 individuals still on active military duty.

In a press release issued on June 3, the VA stated that an ongoing analysis of the data stolen revealed that the names, Social Security Numbers and dates of birth of up to 20,000 active duty National Guard and Reserve personnel might also be included. Guard and Reserve personnel who are on at least their second active duty call-up could potentially be included.

Additionally, says the VA, the same data on as many as 30,000 active duty U.S. Navy personnel may be involved. Navy personnel still on active duty who completed their first enlistment term prior to 1991 may be affected.

According to the VA, this happened because these individuals were issued a form "DD-214" -- separation from active service notification -- upon completion of their first enlistments, thus triggering an automatic notification to VA that these individuals were no longer on active duty.

As of June 3, the VA had received no reports the stolen date being used fraudulent purposes.

Also See:
Your Personal Data: Collection and Security
VA Advises Veterans on Information Theft
Vietnam Vets Say VA Data Theft Story Does Not 'Add Up'