(Military.com) FW: Important Update on Veteran Data Theft

[Guest guest]

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

============================================================

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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

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700, San Francisco, CA 94103-2045