The FBI is investigating the theft of disks containing personal information of about 26.5 million veterans from a Maryland home, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced.
The information was brought home from work by a department employee who was not authorized to do so. The data was taken during what VA Secretary Jim Nicholson has characterized as what appears to have been a random burglary.
The employee came forward earlier this month and admitted that he took the disks home after he informed police that his home was burglarized, said VA spokeswoman Louise Filkins.
The disks contain identifying information, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth as well as some disability ratings. The disks are not believed to contain health or financial records.
Nicholson informed the White House immediately after learning of the breach, Filkins said.
The identity of the employee, a data analyst, is unclear, as well as where he lives. Government officials didn’t release the location of the burglary because they did not want to tip the burglars of the information that they possessed, Filkins said.
“It is possible that they remain unaware of the information which they possess or of how to make use of it,” Nicholson wrote in a letter being sent to veterans.
The letter has been posted on the VA Web site.
The employee has been placed on administrative leave.
The 26.5 million names represent every veteran discharged since 1975 and potentially anyone else prior to that who filed a claim with the VA, according to an announcement posted on the national Veterans of Foreign Wars Web site.
The most major concern is protecting veterans, especially seniors, from identity theft, said Bob Wallace, executive director for the national VFW. TheVFW represents about 2.4 million veterans.
Wallace did not know details surrounding the incident.
He called for greater accountability among the department’s 235,000 employees.
“Accountability to me is immediate termination,” Wallace said of the employee. “This is unconscionable that someone would do this.”
Government officials said veterans can visit www.firstgov.gov or www.va.gov/opa for more information.
The VA is also setting up a call center to address concerns. The number is 800-333-4636 and will operate from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
