MONTPELIER--In response to the recently disclosed theft of approximately 26.5 millions American veterans’ personal data from the U.S. Veterans Administration, Lt. Governor Dubie – joined by Vermont Veterans Affairs Director Clayton Clark and Vermont 2-1-1 Program Director Mary Ellen Mendl – today detailed a few simple steps Vermont veterans can take to find out if their personal data has been used, and to limit the consequences if it has been.

The loss of the data is currently under investigation in Washington, and to date, there is no evidence to suggest that the stolen data has been or will be used. Dubie and Clark estimate that there are approximately 60,000 veterans currently living in Vermont.

According to the VA, veterans whose data may have been compromised include all veterans discharged after 1975, any veteran who currently receives VA compensation or a VA pension, and all veterans who have ever received or applied for any VA benefit other than health care. Dubie and Clark, both veterans, believe their data was compromised in the theft.

Dubie said, “All it takes is a couple of minutes of your time to protect your personal data from fraudulent use. If you’re not sure whether your data was included in the stolen files, take these simple steps now.”

“First and foremost, every veteran should place a 90-day Fraud Alert on his or her credit report,” Dubie said.

“It’s free, and you can do it online or by phone. I did it myself yesterday, and it took about two minutes. Now,” hew continued, “I’ll be notified immediately if anyone other
than me uses my data to make unauthorized purchases or set up accounts using my name and social security number.”

The three major credit bureaus all offer this service for free. Their contact information is below. Affected veterans should also contact any of them for a free credit check. You are entitled to one free credit report a year from each bureau.

Veterans Affairs Director Clark emphasized that there’s no reason for any veteran to panic. “The likelihood that the stolen data will ever be used, or that the thief was ever even aware of its presence on the stolen laptop computer is very, very slim,” he said. “But we are still urging veterans to take these simple steps, both for security and peace of mind.”

Veterans should also monitor credit card bills and bank account statements for any activity that’s not their own.

And if you discover or suspect fraud, The Federal Trade Commission recommends the following four steps: 1) Contact the fraud department of one of the three major credit bureaus; 2) Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently; 3) File a police report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place; and 4) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by calling the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline toll-free at 1-877-438-4338, or online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Dubie said that Vermont veterans can get more information or help by calling the Vermont Veterans Affairs Office at 802-828-3380 or by calling Vermont 2-1-1 by simply dialing 2-1-1 from anywhere in Vermont.

Vermont 2-1-1 Program Director Mary Ellen Mendl explained, “Vermont 2-1-1 is a program of the United Ways of Vermont. We are an information and referral program serving all Vermonters.”

“As we pay tribute on this Memorial Day to those Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” says Dubie, “we should also help the veterans among us to safeguard themselves from the risk of identity theft.”

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The following contact information for the three credit bureaus is also at www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll-free 1-877-322-8322.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, Texas 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

In Vermont, call Vermont Veterans Affairs at 802-828-3380.

Dial 2-1-1 from any phone in Vermont for Vermont 2-1-1. (You may also reach them toll free from anywhere in Vermont at 866-652-4636 or locally in Chittenden County at 802-652-4636.)