Guest guest Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 As if we didn't already have enough problems with the government ... Everyone by now knows about the screw-up. Military.com sent this to me (vide infra), and I'm sending it along to everyone else. (I don't know how this will come through if converted to plain text, so those of you who selected that option may want to deselect it and opt for HTML instead. There are several hyperlinks that are present in the HTML version that will make things easier for you. I don't know if they will remain hyperlinks in plain-text versions.) Something else that occurred to me since the publication of the VA data theft is that now is the time to get some really strong legislation in place protecting both Active Duty and Veteran servicemembers from identity theft and related problems. * First, we collectively need to be able to " freeze " our credit reports. * Second, we have to be notified every time our credit reports are accessed, and give our permission for the information to be divulged. * Third, we need to quickly and easily (within 90 days from the time of discovery) correct our credit reports for errors - none of the " it takes years " stuff. * Fourth, we need exemptions from the more draconian effects of the new bankruptcy legislation. * Fifth, we need interest-rate caps (not more than 10% APR) on credit cards and other loans issued to us, including " payday " loans. * Sixth, no adverse actions could be taken against Active-Duty servicemembers while deployed outside CONUS, for 12 months following return from deployment, 60 months if the servicemember was injured or otherwise disabled so as to require an IPEB while deployed, and forever for the servicemember's family, if the servicemember was MIA or KIA. * Seventh, it would be a Federal crime for lenders or other creditors to discriminate against us or our surviving spouses simply because we were able to benefit from the first six privileges. Those are my preliminary suggestions, and are by no means exhaustive. ============================================================ ''Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking of ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.'' -- G.W.B., signing the Defense Authorization Bill August 5, 2004 ============================================================ _____ From: Military.com [mailto:newsltr@...] Sent: Saturday, 27-May-2006 03:15 Subject: Important Update on Veteran Data Theft <http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=1 & code=vetid_opn & eml=96 4d09483d544d3a99f4efeebd956528> <http://www.military.com/NewsLetter/SGLI/sgli_logo.gif> Dear Military.com Member, As you may know, data was stolen from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This data contained identifying information on up to 26.5 million veterans and spouses, including names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and some disability ratings. At this time, we encourage you to be vigilant and monitor your financial accounts to protect yourself against identity theft. We have put together the following information to help you: Read the latest from the Department of Veteran Affairs Important FAQs * What <http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http%3A//www.military.c om/Finance/content/0%2C15356%2C98690%2C00.html%231 & code=vetid_ctr1 & eml=964d0 9483d544d3a99f4efeebd956528> happened at VA and how does it affect me? * How <http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http%3A//www.military.c om/Finance/content/0%2C15356%2C98690%2C00.html%232 & code=vetid_ctr2 & eml=964d0 9483d544d3a99f4efeebd956528> do I know if information on me was stolen? * What <http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http%3A//www.military.c om/Finance/content/0%2C15356%2C98690%2C00.html%233 & code=vetid_ctr3 & eml=964d0 9483d544d3a99f4efeebd956528> should I do to protect myself? * What <http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http%3A//www.military.c om/Finance/content/0%2C15356%2C98690%2C00.html%234 & code=vetid_ctr4 & eml=964d0 9483d544d3a99f4efeebd956528> should I do if I detect a problem with any of my accounts? Additional articles and resources: * Protect <http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http://www.military.com /Finance/content/0,15356,98310,00.html & code=vetid_ctr5 & eml=964d09483d544d3a9 9f4efeebd956528> Yourself Against ID Theft * Identity <http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http://www.military.com /Finance/content/0,15356,98316,00.html & code=vetid_ctr6 & eml=964d09483d544d3a9 9f4efeebd956528> Theft: What if Your Info is Stolen? Free Credit Reports * www.experian.com <http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http://www.experian.com & code=vetid_ctr7 & eml=964d09483d544d3a99f4efeebd956528> * www.AnnualCreditReport.com <http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http://www.AnnualCredit Report.com & code=vetid_ctr8 & eml=964d09483d544d3a99f4efeebd956528> * or call: 1-877-322-8228 Identity Guard has recently announced veterans affected by the recent data theft can have 6 months of Fraud Protection Service free. To learn more about this offer, go to www.fraudprotect.com <http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http://www.fraudprotect ..com & code=vetid_ctr9 & eml=964d09483d544d3a99f4efeebd956528> At Military.com, we have taken great strides to safeguard member information. We will continue to keep you informed on this situation as it develops. Thank You, Military.com _____ C2006 Military Advantage, Inc. All rights reserved. 799 Market Street STE 700, San Francisco, CA 94103-2045 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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