In 2006, a Veterans Affairs Department data analyst lost a laptop containing names, Social Security numbers, and birthdates of up to 26.5 million veterans and active-duty members. The data analyst had taken the laptop home without authorization, and it was later stolen when the house was burglarized. Although it was later retrieved intact, the data analyst and his supervisors were found at fault by the VA inspector general. Those whose information was put at risk were not notified for almost three weeks after the data analyst notified supervisors of the laptop’s theft.
The Veterans Affairs Department settled a case for invasion of privacy originally filed by five veterans groups, agreeing to pay $20 million to veterans for exposing them to possible identity theft by losing their sensitive personal information. The money, which will come from the U.S. Treasury, will be distributed among veterans who can prove they suffered actual harm, such as physical symptoms of emotional distress or costs incurred for credit monitoring.
Source: http://www.breakinglegalnews.com/entry/VA-agrees-to-settle-for-20M-for-data-theft
Tags: Identity Theft, VA settlement, Veterans Administration, Veterans Affairs Department
