The VA gave the following advice to 26.5-million veterans at risk of identity theft:
First, affected veterans (those discharged from 1975 and afterward, or who were discharged earlier and filed a claim with the VA) should closely monitor their financial statements and visit the VA special website at www.firstgov.gov or call 1-800-FED-INFO (1-800-333-4636).
Second, in case of suspicious or unusual activity, follow the Federal Trade Commission’s four recommended steps.
* Contact the fraud department of one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, Texas 75013 TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790.
- Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently
- File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by telephone at 1-877-438-4338, online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or by mail at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20580.
