Oops, lost my identity . . . - Democratic Underground

flamin lib

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Wed Jun-14-06 02:53 PM
Original message

Oops, lost my identity . . .

Well, I got my letter from the Veteran’s Administration telling me that my personal information was stolen when the home of a VA employee was burgled May 3. It took the VA three weeks to admit that the data of 26.5 million of my brothers and sisters in arms was missing. It took an additional three weeks to set up a tip line for information leading to the return of the laptop and disk drive. Why did it take so long and why did the employee take the laptop home in the first place? I think it’s probably because the Bush Administration is starving the VA for operating funds so employees are taking work home over the weekend. But I digress . . .

The letter reassures me that the VA is taking all possible steps to protect my stolen information. Says the FBI and Inspector General are investigation the poor ba$tard who lost the laptop. They say I don't need to do anything. I found it interesting that they didn't suggest I put a freeze on my credit information. It’s easy in Texas, just call the three reporting agencies, identify yourself and tell them to freeze your account. That means that they will not release your credit info to anyone for any reason unless they contact you first. Easy peasy. I did it a year ago when someone bought a cell phone in my name.

Then I found this: http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/credit/2006-06-14-credit-freeze-usat_x.htm
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Bill would limit consumers' credit rights

“Congress is considering pre-empting laws in 17 states that allow anyone to freeze their own credit and instead restricting the privilege to ID theft victims.

The proposed Financial Data Protection Act of 2006 (Don’t ‘cha just love the way they name bills?), expected to be voted on by the House as soon as next week, comes on the heels of the recent theft of sensitive data for 26 million veterans and active duty military personnel. If it becomes law, vets and military personnel who live in states that permit unrestricted credit freezes would lose that option.”
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So, now that the VA has lost my name, date of birth, mother’s maiden name and social security number I will have to wait until someone actually steals my ID before I can take steps to prevent the theft of my ID. That’s like passing a law saying you can't install a dead bolt unless you've been robbed! WHAT ARE THEY THINKING!?! Oh, foolish me, the Republican Congress doesn't think they just sign off on the bills written by the Banking Lobby. The bill is H.R. 3997 and it comes up for vote next week. Overall it’s a pretty good bill until you get to Sec. 630, (i)(2)(ii) which says to request a freeze you must ,”(submit) an identity theft report to the consumer reporting agency,” which means your identity must have been stolen and a police or other report confirms it.

Find your Rep here: http://www.house.gov/

Find your senator here: http://www.senate.gov/

Ya’ might want to give ‘em a call and ask them to remove that language. The rest of the bill looks pretty good.