VETERANS URGED TO REPLACE OUTDATED VETERANS IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Using old cards could make them vulnerable to identity theft

County Executive Andy Spano is urging Westchester veterans to visit the county's Veterans' Service Agency to register for VA medical benefits or update existing identification cards that might make them vulnerable to identity theft.

The Veterans' Service Agency in conjunction with the James J. Peters, VA Medical Center in the Bronx, is sponsoring a "Veterans Registration Day” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at the agency's office at 112 East Post Road, 4^th floor, Room 442, White Plains.  Veterans who have not yet registered can get a new identification card, sign up for medical services and arrange for a wellness exam.

Veterans who already use services and have older versions of the Veterans Identification Card should come to update their card. The new cards eliminate sensitive identifying information such as social security number and date of birth that is considered an unwarranted risk for veterans receiving health care services.

Veterans should be aware that changes have extended eligibility for some groups of veterans and closed out eligibility for others.   Those who have not used the VA should visit to establish their eligibility or learn about their appeal rights.   Veterans who have used the VA should arrange for a complete physical at least once per year to keep their eligibility current and ensure the facility they prefer to use has them registered as an active patient.    The physical, including all lab tests required, will cost no more than $15 and will be free for many enrolled veterans.

"It's important that veterans take advantage of this opportunity,'' said Spano. "We are holding these registration days because we want to make sure that the veterans who served our country get all the benefits they are entitled to under the law.   Registering takes only a few minutes and it’s well worth it.'' 

To register, veterans should bring a copy of their (DD214) separation papers. For more information:

 Veterans Service Agency

(914) 995-2145/2146

Stolen Computer Equipment Recovered

WASHINGTON -- On Thursday, June 29, 2006, Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson announced that law enforcement authorities have recovered the laptop and external hard drive stolen in early-May from a VA employee’s home. 

“I’m relieved to learn the stolen computer equipment has been recovered, and I applaud law enforcement for their tireless efforts in this case,” Secretary Nicholson said.  “This is very good news for our veterans and active duty military personnel, and I want to assure those whom we serve that VA remains committed to implementing reforms that will make the Department the ‘gold standard’ in the area of information security.”

According to the F.B.I., a preliminary review of the equipment by computer forensic experts determined that the database remains intact and has not been accessed since it was stolen.  A thorough forensic examination of the recovered computer equipment is underway, and the results will be shared once the investigation is completed.

VA continues to operate a call center that people can contact to get more information as it becomes available.  That toll free number is 1-800-FED INFO (1-800-333-4636).  The call center is operating from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm (EDT), Monday-Saturday as long as it is needed.  (Note:  In response to reduced demand subsequent to the recovery of the stolen computer equipment, call center hours were changed on July 10, to Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time.)

addt'l:

On Thursday, June 29, 2006, Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson announced that law enforcement authorities recovered the laptop and external hard drive stolen in early May from a VA employee’s home. 

The FBI has since informed VA that it has completed its forensic examination of the recovered laptop and hard drive. The FBI indicated to VA that it has a high degree of confidence -- based on the results of the forensic tests and other information gathered during the investigation -- that the sensitive files were not accessed or compromised.

For more information please call

Veterans Service Agency (914) 995- 2145

Secretary Nicholson Announces VA to Provide Free Credit Monitoring

WASHINGTON – As part of the continuing efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to protect and assist those potentially affected by the recent data theft that occurred at an employee’s Maryland home, Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson today announced that VA will provide one year of free credit monitoring to people whose sensitive personal information may have been stolen in the incident.

“VA continues to take aggressive steps to protect and assist people who may be potentially affected by this data theft,” said Nicholson.  “VA has conducted extensive market research on available credit monitoring solutions, and has been working diligently to determine how VA can best serve those whose information was stolen. 

“Free credit monitoring will help safeguard those who may be affected, and will provide them with the peace of mind they deserve,” he added. 

The Secretary said VA has no reason to believe the perpetrators who committed this burglary were targeting the data, and Federal investigators believe that it is unlikely that identity theft has resulted from the data theft.

This week, VA will solicit bids from qualified companies to provide a comprehensive credit monitoring solution.  VA will ask these companies to provide expedited proposals and to be prepared to implement them rapidly once they are under contract.

After VA hires a credit monitoring company, the Department will send a detailed letter to people whose sensitive personal information may have been included in the stolen data.  This letter will explain credit monitoring and how eligible people can enroll or “opt-in” for the services.  The Department expects to have the services in place and the letters mailed by mid-August.

Secretary Nicholson also announced VA is soliciting bids to hire a company that provides data-breach analysis, which will look for possible misuse of the stolen VA data.  The analysis would help measure the risk of the data loss, identify suspicious misuse of identity information and expedite full assistance to affected people.

As part of VA’s efforts to prevent such an incident from happening again, Secretary Nicholson previously announced a series of personnel changes in the Office of Policy and Planning, where the breach occurred; the hiring of former Maricopa County (Ariz.) prosecutor Richard Romley as a Special Advisor for Information Security; the expedited completion of Cyber Security Awareness Training and Privacy Awareness Training for all VA employees; that an inventory be taken of all positions requiring access to sensitive VA data by June 30, 2006, to ensure that only those employees who need such access to do their jobs have it; that every laptop in VA undergo a security review to ensure that all security and virus software is current, including the immediate removal of any unauthorized information or software; and that VA facilities across the country – every hospital, Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), regional office, national cemetery, field office and VA’s Central Office – observe Security Awareness Week beginning June 26.

People who believe they may be affected by the data theft can go to www.firstgov.gov for more information.  VA also continues to operate a call center that people can contact to get information about this incident and learn more about consumer-identity protections.  That toll free number is 1-800-FED INFO (1-800-333-4636).  The call center is operating from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm (EDT), Monday-Saturday as long as it is needed.  

To read frequency asked question click here

For more information please call

Veterans Service Agency (914) 995- 2145

A Statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs

 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently learned that an employee, a data analyst, took home electronic data from VA, which he was not authorized to do. This behavior was in violation of our policies. This data contained identifying information including names, social security numbers, and dates of birth for up to 26.5 million veterans and some spouses, as well as some disability ratings. Importantly, the affected data did not include any of VA’s electronic health records nor any financial information. The employee’s home was burglarized and this data was stolen. The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

Appropriate law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the VA Inspector General’s office, have launched full-scale investigations into this matter. Authorities believe it is unlikely the perpetrators targeted the items because of any knowledge of the data contents. It is possible that they remain unaware of the information which they possess or of how to make use of it.  However, out of an abundance of caution, VA is taking all possible steps to protect and inform our veterans. 

VA is working with members of Congress, the news media, veterans service organizations, and other government agencies to help ensure that those veterans and their families are aware of the situation and of the steps they may take to protect themselves from misuse of their personal information. VA will send out individual notification letters to veterans to every extent possible. Veterans can also go to www.firstgov.gov to get more information on this matter. This website is being set to handle increased web traffic. Additionally, working with other government agencies, VA has set up a manned call center that veterans may call to get information about this situation and learn more about consumer identity protections. That toll free number is 1-800-FED INFO (333-4636). The call center will be open beginning today, and will operate from 8 am to 9 pm (EDT), Monday-Saturday as long as it is needed. The call center will be able to handle up to 20,000 calls per hour (260,000 calls per day).

Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson has briefed the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, co-chairs of the President’s Identity Theft Task Force. Task Force members have already taken actions to protect the affected veterans, including working with the credit bureaus to help ensure that veterans receive the free credit report they are entitled to under the law. Additionally, the Task Force will meet today to coordinate the comprehensive Federal response, recommend further ways to protect affected veterans, and increase safeguards to prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents. VA’s mission to serve and honor our nation’s veterans is one we take very seriously and the 235,000 VA employees are deeply saddened by any concern or anxiety this incident may cause our veterans and their families. We appreciate the service our veterans have given their country and we are working diligently to protect them from any harm as a result of this incident.

To read the frequently asked questions click here

For more information please call

Veterans Service Agency (914) 995- 2145

The County Executive recently sign a law that will increase the county property tax exemption for veterans. In accordance with New York State law, this additional reduction will take effect beginning in 2007(2008 in Yonkers).

Tax reductions vary by city, town and village, but if you are currently receiving the Alternative Veterans Property Tax Exemption you will see your reduction nearly double in 2007.

If you are a veteran who is not already receiving the benefit of the Alternative Veterans Real Property Tax Exemption and would like to do so, contact your local city or town tax assessor for application and instructions on how to apply.

The increased property tax relief is for County Taxes only.

For more information please call (914) 995-2145.

VA Warns of Telephone Prescription Scam

Veterans with questions about VA services should contact the        Westchester County Veterans Service Agency , 914-995-2145.

New Design for Veterans ID Card

Department of Veterans Affairs officials have designed a new identity card for veterans that will safeguard confidential information while combating identity theft.

To obtain the new card, veterans must take a new ID picture. These pictures can be taken at the Veterans Service Agency's Office on Veterans Identification Card Day, tentatively held on the third Thursday of every month.

If you have never signed up for medical benefits through the VA or if you have not used a VA Hospital in more than a year, please call our office at (914) 995-2146.

For more information please call our office at (914) 995-2145

The recent rules change by the American Gold Star Mothers now permits non-US Citizen to join their organization. This change was help by the County Executive, Andrew J. Spano, the Westchester County Advisory Board and all Westchester residents who signed petitions. Now any mother who has lost and son or daughter due to war will now be able to unite under the organization, the American Gold Star Mothers.

County Executive's response to the rule change

The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

2128 Leroy Place NW - Washington, DC 20008

Phone: 202-265-0991

Fax: 202-265-6963