DoD Enters Database Theft Aftermath

When the Defense Department learned June 1 that current service members are at risk from the VA’s recent loss of 26.5 million database records, officials asked the Department of Veterans Affairs for all the Social Security numbers in the database, said Bill Carr, principal DoD deputy for military personnel policy. The numbers were checked against databases at the Defense Manpower Data Center, he said. For now, people should assume that 80 percent of the active-duty force and 90 percent of the Selected Reserve — National Guard and Reserve members affiliated with units — are vulnerable to personal data theft, Carr said. He added that DoD should have more firm numbers soon, but until then all service members should be vigilant for changes in their credit or financial status. Members can use credit monitoring services and should report any fraudulent activity immediately, he said.