Sanders to VA Secretary: The VA Must Provide Financial Assistance in the Event That Veterans Become Victims of Identity Theft

Sanders to VA Secretary: The VA Must Provide Financial Assistance in the Event That Veterans Become Victims of Identity Theft

Congressman Sanders today questioned Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson during his appearance before the House Government Reform Committee. Sanders called on the VA to take financial responsibility in the event that identity theft occurs as a result of the breach of the personal information of over 26 million American veterans, service members and active duty personnel.

Sanders said, "I think American veterans and military service members expect Mr. Nicholson to start by giving us the whole truth about the full extent and depth of the breach, so that we don't keep learning about its expanding scope in the newspaper. I also want to hear in no uncertain terms how the Veterans Secretary plans to restrict the number of employees with access to sensitive data, how he will improve the background investigation to which such employees are subjected, and how a clear security breach response plan would be executed in the future. Perhaps most importantly, I urge the VA to take responsibility for any legal and financial expenses that our veterans and soldiers might incur in the unfortunate event that they become victims of identity theft as a result of this security failure. The men and women who have served our country deserve nothing less."

http://bernie.house.gov/documents/document.asp?issueNum=4923