Capito Alerts Veterans on Stolen Personal Data

Capito Alerts Veterans on Stolen Personal Data

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today urged all West Virginia veterans discharged after 1975 to be vigilant and closely monitor all bank statements, credit card statements and other statements related to financial transactions following an announcement from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that personal information on 26.5 million veterans was stolen this month.

"It is important for West Virginia's veterans, especially those discharged after 1975, to be aware of this situation. At this point there is no indication that any of the stolen information has been used illegally. However, the threat of credit card fraud or identity theft is something that should never be taken lightly, and so I strongly urge all veterans to be vigilant and report any suspicious financial activities to the proper financial institution."

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently learned than an employee took home electronic data from the VA, which the employee was not authorized to do. The employees home was then burglarized, and personal data such as names, social security numbers and dates of birth for up to 26.5 million veterans discharged after 1975 was stolen.

http://capito.house.gov/press_office/detail-page.aspx?id=174&whichone=pr