Class action against the VA

[gasmanptb]

I was just wondering what some of the other vets here on the board feel about the class action suite being filed againt the VA? To my limited knowledge it is to release the identities of the stolen info (to the proper party) and to pay each of the parties a grand each. Now I know it is a grave mistake but damn why is it always a money thing. If someone would lose money that is different but to just say everyone get a grand is kind of outrageous.Then again it would teach some people to be more careful with this sort of info. I am kind of concerned either way.
Cecil

[chamas]

I called the 800# and I was told by Vet Affairs that they can't even tell me if my info was part of the missing info because they don't know. They also told me that they didn't plan on doing anything until they are pushed by the vets. So I think if that is their response that is why there is this class action suit. They did tell me that the guy got terminated. The only other info they would tell me was that they did not change any of their procedures and that if this guy had followed procedure this would have never happened. I asked what if someone else doesn't follow procedure. I was told if they found out that person would be terminated as well. I told them I didn't think that was good enough. They said well you know the government it doesn't do anything until they have to. So I say go for the class action suit and make them put safe guards in place now not later.

Just my humble opinion.....

[Steve_Cox]

I was just wondering what some of the other vets here on the board feel about the class action suite being filed againt the VA? To my limited knowledge it is to release the identities of the stolen info (to the proper party) and to pay each of the parties a grand each. Now I know it is a grave mistake but damn why is it always a money thing. If someone would lose money that is different but to just say everyone get a grand is kind of outrageous.Then again it would teach some people to be more careful with this sort of info. I am kind of concerned either way.
Cecil

Cecil,

If it gets the government - and private agencies for that matter - to get their heads out of their rear ends about information security, it’s money well spent. Can you imagine if this were IRS data? Or Social Security Administration data? The figure is so big because the breach is so egregious - and it was very preventable. The $1000/per person figure requested is the remedy provided by the federal Privacy Act of 1974 - not just some number pulled out of the sky to make people rich.

A $1000 isn't much compared to what it was in 1974. Guess at that time we had a government that thought our privacy more important than they do now.

[gasmanptb]

Can you imagine if this were IRS data? Or Social Security Administration data?

Yes, I can as I have learned it is also including active duty personal also. This is just as bad because the info would be about the same as you have to provide a lot of the same data to the VA. I now back any law suit because of the time it is taking for me to get the answer if my data is gone. The only problem with the payout if we won is we are paying for it as tax payers. So they raise our taxes to pay for there loss of the suit. Talk about being fleeced. The more that comes out about it makes it more of a threat as it is now with active, vets back to 1974 and probably employees of the VA if the truth be known. So not being a real smart guy how do I watch for identity theft? Also what are my rights in this situation? links and comments please! Sometimes I wonder what the heck I was thinking when I enlisted. I have had nothing but trouble scince. I still loved it though. (hated it too) Oh yeah to any WWII vets I remembered D-day yester day now. Well that makes this my b-day today. Oh well let you all read this and think on it tonight. If you all find out more let me know
Cecil

[Miriam C.]

Just a little thought for those who might consider letting the VA or anyone else slide for a $1000. If you become the victim of identity theft it will cost more than $1000 to clear your name and the VA (or other) may be cleared of any further liability.

If the person who ends up with your name gets arrested or commits a crime in your name, you will have to prove it wasn't you. No such thing as innocent. Sometimes they can even have a picture of the person who commited the crime and you still have to post bond and go to court.

I wouldn't settle for anything but full protection forever.
IMHO
Miriam

[toypusher]

As a vet, I agree with Miriam on this. If the lawsuit is won then the VA may be off the hook permenantly. THIS WOULD NOT BE A GOOD THING!! You want to fight the VA, do it through politics or you will end up being screwed even more. If my identity is stolen, then I want the VA to be responsible and have to pay to get it cleared up for me. I know that it will be a tough battle, but I thing it is a much better option than them giving me $1000.00 now, even if my identity is never stolen. It probably would be hard to prove that an identity theft was directly caused by the lost disk, but I think the the Supreme Court would hold the VA responsible.

Just my opinion, but I sure hope the lawsuit does not go through. It will change nothing in the VA and could very likely make things much worse for anyone who's identity is stolen!

As a minimum, the VA should have to pay for credit checks for Vets, so they can keep an eye on what is happening to them.

[gasmanptb]

Miriam and toypusher you have a great point and I feel that should be the way it goes to. A much harder thing to get done but a better deal over all. I do not think every little deatail has been let out about the suit though and that could be a condition of it. No matter what the VA is liable now for any fraudulent activity of up to 96 million possible identities. THis like I said has hit even the actively sewrving folks and that could be really bad for them. 18 to 24 months deployed and come home to possiblely millions in debt. OUCH!!!!!! In any case I think we really need to look at the way the entire government has gotten so careless. Don't chime in on party lines because both sides are to blame. Yes, I figure I will get a couple of fanatics to reply to that, but let me say it now,that I don't care you can't blind me from the truth. I may not be smart but I do know right and wrong.

Cecil

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi all

The VA is there to help people, if it gives away all this money due to a crooked employee then who wins? The crooked employee is sacked, the details are already out there, so any identity theft that does occur should be quickly cleared up. There is no way to totay protect info against a crooked employee and losing all that money will not make the VA achieve the impossible but it will take funds away from veterans.

I have never understood this sue everyone mentality, sure on occason its justified (very very rarely though) but the harm it does is incalculable, doctors who can hardly afford the liability premiums, hospitals that have to charge more and more to pay the premiums, in many cases paying out on frivolous claims simply because fighting them would cost so much more.

The only people to win long term are the lawyers

[gasmanptb]

George,
I also feel that way but will they protect us? Or will the VA say that I went out and bought that million dollar Car, Boat, and Ect...... With the way this government is being run and the lawyers on their side this could just be left to the vet. Some of these vet's may never know due to disability or just being in a care home. These are the truely at risk vet's. I beleive I could catch some fraudulent activity by watching my credit report and accounts and so on. So while I don't like the sue happy world, I see where it is a good option to have when screwed and the right thing is not done to correct it. It is a sad world when you have to sue to get the proper action taken when wronged.

Cecil

[jo_tigger]

I'm a VET and any money given out comes out of yours and my pockets. I've received many class action law suit letters from lawyers claiming to represent me in suits related to investments, insurance....I toss em in the trash. There never seems to be any left after the lawyers get theirs. I don't have anything against most lawyers just the ones that are milking the system. While I was in the military there was no expectation of keeping your SSN safe. It was stenciled on everything issued to me like duffel bags. I do realize we live in a different world now and we should expect our information to be better protected. I wonder why we all have to sign HIPPA waivers for every doctor we see. At the rate we are going our whole system will be bancrupted forcing cuts in services to vets, disabled people, pensions, medicaide, medicare, and social security benefits to the retired.

Woops I've run on....

[gasmanptb]

Richard,
All I know is that many of us are at risk and it is possible this government and the VA could let it just slide. If that happens and you and me are left to fight this for our selves. Not good because of the time and money it would take to do this, plus will it ever really help repair the damage done? No matter what the solution ends up being it come out of our pockets, whether from the cut of benifits and services or our own pesonal money. It is a losing situation in all respects. I see in the future where they disband the VA and many other social programs as you do. Nobody cares to fight these corrupt politicians either so they just keep dragging us down. Thats what they want though.
The point though is the VA is liable and should / is going to help with any possible ID theft. IF not then the suite is good to have as a back up.
I think we have the same fears of the future also. I guess it is apparent to some. Glad I am not the only one who doesn't trust those crooks inD.C.

Cecil

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Cecil

Yes they should step up and help if anything actually happens, giving away $1,000 just against the possibility is ludicrous.

Sure they should cover you and help against any actual losses not just reward greed, that class action is merely a moneygrabbing excercise and its the VA and ultimately the vets themselves that will lose out.

[GeorgeTelford]

Hi Richard

Good on you, I aplaud your post, attitude, sentiments and morals.

[Ira]

I know this is a serious issue, and I don't mean to make light of it.

But I'm not a veteran:

Because SOMEONE had to stay home and take care of all those lonely women!

[Mike B]

I got my letter from the VA last night. I will worry about it IF something happens. In the meantime, keep in mind that you can't sue the federal government unless it consents to be sued.

Mike
Hayden Lake, ID