Over 26 million SSNs stolen
And they all belong to veterans:
WASHINGTON - Personal data, including Social Security numbers of 26.5 million U.S. veterans, was stolen from a Veterans Affairs employee this month after he took the information home without authorization, the department said Monday.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson said there was no evidence so far that the burglars who struck the employee's home have used the personal data — or even know they have it. The employee, a data analyst whom Nicholson would not identify, has been placed on leave pending a review.
That's nearly 9% of the population, folks. When are people who maintain this kind of information going to learn?
By the way, this likely affects me - since I'm a veteran.
More later when I cool down.
Comments
Isn't this just the cat's meow? Our federal government at its finest - protecting us from harm; well, some of us, anyhow.
I cannot believe (although I am now forced to) that in this day and age, that a federal agency hasn't taken the necessary steps to safeguard personal information.
I also cannot believe some bureaucrat took the personal information for 26.5 million people home with him. Just what the he&% was he going to do with it? And I'm supposed to buy the fact that it (the personal info database) was at an employee's home and the theft of the same are unrelated? I was born at night, but it wasn't last night!
Our president may be very strong on national defense and national security, but he is sorrily lacking when it comes to supporting his veterans. With that type of command climate, it is no wonder that discipline broke down in the VA.
Posted by: Old Soldier | May 23, 2006 8:01 AM
Thanks for the heads up, even though I watch the news, I hadn't heard this. This information will effect me as well. Funny that bloggers keep an eye out for the vets but not the MSM.
Posted by: Scrappy | May 23, 2006 8:49 AM
My husband is a Veteran, and this really ticks us off too.
Like Old Soldier, neither of us believe for a minute that this idiot employee was burglarized and now the data is missing! Neither one of us fell off a turnip truck yesterday.
Posted by: Gayle | May 23, 2006 9:44 AM
By the way, regarding "Scrappy's" comment: My husband said he heard something about this yesterday on Fox News. Bet they are the only ones who covered it!
Posted by: Gayle | May 23, 2006 9:46 AM