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BETHLEHEM (June 19) -
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 (VA),
Senator Lisa M. Boscola wants to
protect Pennsylvania veterans and
active service members who could be
the victim of identity theft.
Boscola is introducing legislation
that would make it a crime to
impersonate a veteran or any member
of the Armed Services.
“Many of our veterans
and military personnel have been
victims of war, battle and
bloodshed. After serving 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 reported stolen from
the federal department. After the
VA delayed reporting the issue for 3
weeks back in May, Boscola became
more troubled by the notion that our
veterans and service members were
that much more vulnerable due to
department inaction.
Since there are a
number of benefits available to
veterans through the VA,
impersonating a current or former
Armed Service member could reap
unearned financial rewards.
“We need to honor
those who have fought for liberty
and freedom as well as those who are
currently making sacrifices
overseas,” Boscola said.
According to the Federal Trade
Commission, identity theft is the
most common complaint from consumers
in every state, and the number of
complaints continues to rise. Our
various levels of government should
continue working to reduce these
incidences of theft, not
contributing to them.
Under Boscola’s legislation, an
individual could be subject to a 2nd
degree misdemeanor, which the
maximum punishment is 2 years in
prison and a $5,000 fine.
The California legislature has
passed legislation similar to Boscola’s bill, which was then
signed into law by California’s
Governor.
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