Fitzpatrick Pleased By VA Decision to Offer Free Credit Monitoring to Veterans

Fitzpatrick Pleased By VA Decision to Offer Free Credit Monitoring to Veterans

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that they will offer free credit monitoring for veterans involved in the recent theft of data files containing the personal information of veterans across the country. Congressman Michael G. Fitzpatrick released the following statement upon learning of the Department of Veterans Affairs' announcement:

"Last month, I called on Secretary Nicholson to take swift and determined action to investigate the theft of these records and make changes in personnel to secure our veterans' data. I am pleased today to learn that Secretary Nicholson has directed the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer free credit monitoring to those veterans directly affected by the theft of the files. I am also encouraged by the VA's announcement that they will hire a former prosecutor to serve as a Special Advisor for Information Security and will audit the department's information security protocols by June 30th.

Before today's announcement, Congressman Fitzpatrick cosponsored H.R. 5464 on May 25th; legislation that would require the VA to send a written notice to every affected veteran about the incident and the potential credit risk that they may have been exposed to. The legislation also allows veterans to request free credit reports and free credit monitoring from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"I maintain my position that the Department of Veterans Affairs must make immediate and verifiable changes to their security systems. I will continue to monitor not only the progress of this new credit monitoring program, but the responsibilities of this new advisory position within the VA," Fitzpatrick added.

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http://fitzpatrick.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=45830