Social Security Number Thefts c/o Veteran's Administration

[Teri Anne]

I title this, "Social Security Thefts c/o Veteran's Administration" because, to me, they ENABLED this accident to happen.  If the loss weren't so serious, it'd be laughable.  But stupidity resides everywhere...Many years ago, I walked into an Assistant's room at work and there, on her desk, were the names and social security numbers of everyone in our department on a single piece of paper, facing up, ready to be stolen.  I asked her, "haven't you heard of identity theft?"

And now, the government is pondering HOW MUCH MONEY to give to veterans to check up on and manage possible identity theft concerns.  It's ridiculous.  The Social Security numbers, in their infancy, were never supposed to be used for anything other than government identification.  And now, every phone, cable, credit, gas and electric company has yours.  And how well are THEY safeguarding it?

I'm by no means a genius but it's curious how no one has suggested that, rather than have millions of people wondering if they are in danger of identity theft - for the rest of their LIVES! - it'd be better if, since the government CREATED the problem, they should SOLVE it.  To me, the only practical solution (which I realize is not easy or inexpensive) is to assign NEW Social Security numbers for all the affected veterans.  Few bring that possible solution up.  Some say that it would be impossible.  Note, though, that if you lose a credit card, the credit company has no problem assigning you with a NEW credit card number.

In my solution, companies can, internally within their computers, reference that the person who used to have Social Security number 222-22-2222 is now 888-88-8888.  If anyone thereafter applies for credit using the old number, 222-22-2222, the credit card company would know NOT to give that applicant credit because he's using  an expired number.

And, if the Social Security number is stolen AGAIN because of mismanagement, we ought to, AGAIN, be able to get a new number.  It shouldn't just be a one-time solution.

I'd rather, if I was at risk, do something to fix the problem rather than always wonder if this is the year that I'm going to get hit with identity theft.  A little extra work now could seemingly save a lifetime of worry.

Teri Anne

[Melissa]

Everytime it changed we would have to update the phone, cable, credit, gas and electric company.  I think that's a lot of work for those companies and maybe one of the big reasons for not using your proposed solution.  Perhaps they should start a law where your SSN can not be your primary ID number with companies.  Banks, schools, and insurance companies use these and regularly ask you for the numbers for ID purposes.

Melissa

[taylor]

I agree with changing all the numbers. I would rather call my utilities and lenders one time, fix the problem and move on then what is going to happen if these numbers are not fixed and identity theft takes place!

Not only will the individual face a bigger mess, so will the utility companies and lenders...their phones will never stop ringing, time after time from the individual needing to make multiple calls regarding the mess they have been placed in, without the gov doing a thing. 

I heard they were going to pay 1K per person...that will not even begin to fix the problems they are going to face.

Peace,
Taylor

[Melissa]

I heard they were going to pay 1K per person...that will not even begin to fix the problems they are going to face.

Really?  Cool, I could use that.  I know my info was in the DB, because I got a letter from them yesterday. Since I'm changing my identity anyways, it won't do somebody else much good.  I can just imagine them finallt getting the fake ID all ready of me, then I do my name change and it doesn't work for them.

Melissa

[taylor]

Melissa,

Well Let me know if ya ever get that check ok? Cause they say a lot and seem to do very little!  At least they gave you a heads up that your identity was stolen!

Peace,
Taylor

[Melissa]

I did a little searching and I couldn't find anything about getting a check.  The only place I've heard about that is here.  If I do get a check, I'll update you.

Melissa

[stephanie_craxford]

And now, the government is pondering HOW MUCH MONEY to give to veterans to check up on and manage possible identity theft concerns.  It's ridiculous.  The Social Security numbers, in their infancy, were never supposed to be used for anything other than government identification.  And now, every phone, cable, credit, gas and electric company has yours.  And how well are THEY safeguarding it?

That's the way it used to be here in Canada.  It has since changed with legislation that required the deletion of all SSN information unless it was required by an employer for HR/payroll purposes.  I remember that way back our Service Number in the military was our SSN, that too was changed.

I'm not sure if this has curtailed identity theft but the number is no longer available in Canada to anyone or any other entity except an employer or Human Resources and Development Canada (HRDC), and it is no longer permited for anyone to request the number

Additionally the initial topic only indicated that "the government is pondering HOW MUCH MONEY to give to veterans to check up on and manage possible identity theft concerns."  I don't see where there was any mention of a cheque.

Steph

[Melissa]

That's another good point Steph.  If the Social security number is restricted on how it can be used, that alone would make it more difficult for identity theives since there wouldn't be a universal number that can be used.

Melissa

[stephanie_craxford]

Very true

Steph

[Kate Thomas]

I doubt that the vetans will ever see any real cash solution to this. what is likely to happen is that the finacial instatutions that must deal with the problem, will likely bill (sue) the VA for their trouble. this will translate to a loss of VA services due to "finacial reasons". this is a no win situation. 

Kate Alice

[Sandi]

If anyone wants more information on the VA data privacy breach updates, I have uploaded the latest RAO (Retiree Assistance Office) bulletin I received. There are six updates on the VA privacy breach plus lots more about the VA and government legislation. I also left it as sent to me in email (.eml) format so the URL links will work.

RAO Bulletin Update 15 June 2006


Sandi

[taylor]

Hi All,

I just got to thinking and every time I close a case at work, even if it does not go to court etc. Whatever I sign I also have to put my SSN down ( it is not labeled that on the form, but the dashes make it obvious to what it is) and if I don't it get's kicked right back to me.  This bothers a lot of us Investigators, because if someone ever gets into their case, they can find us anywhere at anytime in our lives. But the state refuses to change this, and it seems they do not want to do one thing that requires just basic common sense. They tell us they are concerned with our safety and yet they always seem to take our safe guards from us.

Peace,
Taylor

[jan c]

SSN = Government Bar Code!!!! 
and next up will be the Radio Frequency Identifier code chip.
Can id an organic entity under water, like bottom of the sea in a bathysphere type underwater.
Implant that sucker right in you, you can't go undetected...
the Korean company that developed this (I found out from some high-risk investment types about this stuff), made billions real quick once they got it to market at any level.
That SSN is NOT gonna ever be used for less stuff, let's face it peoples.

[HelenW]

That SSN is NOT gonna ever be used for less stuff, let's face it peoples.

Yup.  Gotta agree with that one.

It started out as a number for your retirement account with the government and with the advent of computers and electronic databases it became a de facto national identification number.

With the modern power in computers I think using the SSN for any purpose other than fiscal needs is simply laziness in the designers/operators of the systems that ask for it.  When someone like my doctor or optician asks for it I tell them to make one up for me - ya ain't gettin' the real one!

helen

[Melissa]

That SSN is NOT gonna ever be used for less stuff, let's face it peoples.

Not true.  The college I went to changed from using the SSN to a new student ID system.  It works quite well.

Melissa

[RebeccaFog]

    The government clowns sent me messages telling me about the problem of the stolen information. About a month ago, they sent me a letter saying they recovered the stolen hardware that the numbers were on. They also said that the FBI clowns have determined that the data had not been accessed since it was stolen.

    This makes me feel so much better.  I am going to rejoin the military so that I can enjoy my quiet rotation in peaceful Iraq.


Love for people/hatred for governments

[Teri Anne]

So the government's determined that the Social Security numbers were not stolen (Hmmm, wonder if we can believe that?  They were pretty certain about WMD's in Iraq also, eh what?).

Did the government announcement that there's "no problem" indicate that, from now on, government workers will NOT be allowed to take laptops with people's social security numbers on them out of government buildings?  Did they say they were punishing the bosses who let this fiasco happen?  They didn't? 

I've always been surprised at how government workers are allowed to do things that, if they happened in private industry, people would face jail time.

Teri

[BrandiOK]

Yeah...I had a little panic session when I got my letter about my info being stolen but then I remember that my life was about as bad as it could get, I have no money and my credit is already ruined.  Anyone stupid enough to try and steal my identity is in for a big surprise LOL  They'd make more money skimming pennies out of the wishing fountain at the mall.

[Teri Anne]

LOL Brandi, your story reminded me of when someone stole my 20 year old VW bug.  The robbers had no idea that 50% of the time I had to go underneath the car to start it (there was a short in the starter).  I was told by the police that people were stealing VW's to take 'em over the border to Mexico in order to turn them into dune buggies.  Somewhere, out there, there's a VW dune buggy with a lot of electrical problems!

Hugs, Teri

[Dennis]

heh, Teri Anne, I had a bug like that once too, had to just about rewire the dang thing every time I drove it. And I had a 66 VW Van that I had to push start everywhere, or park on hills. Seemed like once you had a starter problem in a VW nothing would make it go away.

Dennis