VA to Vets–Go Monitor Yourself

First, the feds lost computer components containing vital data on 26 million veterans and other military personnel, raising fears of mass identify theft. Then, it offered government-funded credit monitoring to the vicitimized vets. Now, all signs are that the Bush Administration has changed its mind. According to the July 19 Washington Post, the White House told House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) on June 18 that it was withdrawing a request for $160.5 million to pay for a year of free credit monitoring. It cited the June 28 recovery of the errant computer gear and subsequent “high degree of confidence” that no one had accessed the data. Vets are not amused. “We’re outraged that the administration would renege on their offer,” said Robert E. Wallace, VFW executive director.”