Health Information Management

VA data breach affects 26.5 million veterans

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, May 29, 2006

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The personal information of over twenty-six million veterans was compromised after a thief stole electronic data from the home of an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The data included names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and some disability ratings.

The VA employee took the data home contrary to department policy, according to a statement on the VA Web site. The department has placed the employee on administrative leave.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the VA Inspector General's Office have launched investigations into the data breach. The VA has also established a call center, 1-800-FED INFO, for veterans seeking more information.

Click here to read the VA statement.



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