Noteboom The Law Firm

Stolen Hospital Records Present Risk of Identity Theft to Veterans

It was discovered in May that hospital records were stolen from the James A. Haley Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital, according to an article on Tampa Bay Online. The VA has released an updated statement in which they report an "active, open investigation" has been launched. How many veterans with disabilities who have been or will be affected by this incident are still unknown.

The VA is referring to the theft as an "inappropriate removal" of hospital records. Those records, of course, contained very personal information on what likely amounts to "hundreds of veterans" who have received treatment at the medical facility over the years. The VA hasn't made any statement about what records were stolen, who took them, where they were taken from, why, or when the records were removed.

Maybe the VA doesn't know all the answers but the Tampa Police Department has indicated that a debit card was opened under the name of a patient from the hospital.

Veterans are understandably upset, as the hospital notified them their personal records, which included social security numbers, had been compromised in a security breach. Apparently, this theft was part of a large criminal endeavor to fraudulently obtain tax refunds. Neither the Office of Inspector General, the VA, nor the Tampa Police Department has commented on how many records were stolen or have been recovered to date.

If you are a disabled veteran who needs help obtaining disability compensation or have denied benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.