Congressman Rob Andrews

For Immediate Release

Contact: Josh Freed 202-225-650/ Bill Caruso 856-546-6438

May 25, 2006

Rep. Andrews to Introduce Plan to Secure Vets’ Personal Information

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ) announced he will be introducing legislation that provides a solution to the recent privacy disaster at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) involving the lost personal information of as many as 26.5 million veterans.

“This theft is a massive breach of security, and represents the largest unauthorized disclosure of Social Security data in our country’s history,� said Rep. Andrews. “My bill would require the VA to immediately create a national database of veterans that assigns each individual a four-digit personal identification number (pin) code. This pin would act like the security code on the back of your credit card and provide an additional level of security for verifying a veteran’s identity.�

Identity theft is a significant problem facing every American. Because of the recent breach of security of VA records, millions of our bravest Americans are now vulnerable. Rep. Andrews’ legislation would secure their information by creating a personal identification number that entities extending credits or loans to veterans would be required to verify before authorizing the transactions. If the entity failed to check the pin code, it would be required to pay all attorney fees and damages to the veteran harmed by this failure

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