|
BETHLEHEM (Aug. 8) –
As many as 38,000 veterans may be at
risk of ID theft when a Veterans
Affairs subcontractor lost the
personal data stored on a laptop
last week. A subcontractor hired to
assist in insurance collections for
VA Department medical centers in
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh,
reported the missing computer last
Thursday.
According to this
developing story, it is estimated
that Medical records for about 5,000
patients treated at Philadelphia,
and 11,000 treated at Pittsburgh and
another 2,000 deceased patients were
stolen.
This irresponsible
event has once again put our
veterans ID’s at risk, prompting
State Senator Lisa M. Boscola to
renew her efforts to protect
Pennsylvania veterans from ID theft
and punish those who commit such a
crime.
Legislation recently introduced by Boscola making any
individual who impersonates a
veteran guilty of a 2nd
degree misdemeanor. The maximum
punishment for this offense is 2
years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
After personal identification and
records of approximately 26.5
million veterans and 2.2 million
active Armed Service members were
stolen from the US Department of
Veteran Affairs back in May of this
year, Senator Lisa M. Boscola
introduced Senate Bill 1272 that
would protect Pennsylvania veterans
and active service members who could
be the victim of identity theft.
“These men and women
have served our country so
valiantly, they should not be
victims of their own identity,”
Boscola said. “Anyone who attempts
to impersonate a veteran or service
member to obtain benefits should be
punished,” said Boscola.
Social Security
numbers, address, phone numbers, and
birthdates were taken from the
federal department. After the VA
delayed reporting the issue for 3
weeks last May, Boscola became more
troubled by the notion that our
veterans and service members were
that much more vulnerable due to
department’s inaction.
“When we go back into
session, I will continue to push for
my legislation to become law. We
owe this to our veterans, and
especially those who reside in
Pennsylvania,” Boscola said.
The California legislature has
recently enacted legislation similar
to Boscola’s bill.
###
|
