Got my letter from the V.A.

[Leonidas]

Came home from riding the bike and stopped off to check the mail. Right on top was a letter from the VA with the notice of "important information" inside. Yep, I'm a victim of Captain Doofus putting my info on his/her laptop and carrying it home. Small comfort that I have twenty something other million vets to join in my misery.

So, any other vets get their letters yet? And, if so, are you doing anything different to protect your credit?

 

[Gumby]

Me too. I'm thinking of pulling a credit report just to check.(I've never done it before except when I was refinancing the mortgage).

 

[Brat]

I cannot believe how trusting many govt agencies about their data. IMHO all computers with information about others should be passworded at least. There was a report of an auditor's computer being stolen a couple weeks ago, but at least that computer is password protected (I know because a family member used to work for that firm and all their equipment is password protected).

 

[CCdaCE]

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Here's the "official" site to request your credit report from the 3 companies. I think they still charge you for your actual credit rating number 700? 650? etc.

But, you can see who's been accessing it, and who you're paying money to or have paid in the past.

I snag one report from each agency every 4 months.

-CC

 

[Gumby]

Thanks for the link. I suppose I should develop a similar schedule just to make sure no mischief is afoot.

 

[Arif]

I hope I don't get that letter in the mail. :

BTW- I couldn't get that link to work. Is it just me?

 

[Leonidas]

I hope I don't get that letter in the mail. :

BTW- I couldn't get that link to work. Is it just me?

I was hoping the same thing but it was not meant to be. I have the same link bookmarked and it worked for me. Try just typing in www.annualcreditreport.com and see if that works.

I started getting annual credit reports last year - I want to say that all but one gave me my FICO score for free. My anniversary date for the one year is this week, so I'll go ahead and order another freebie now. While I'm doing that I may check out the "for a fee" services that the three major agencies have. I think that at least one of them had a check your credit anytime deal coupled with fraud alerts/credit monitoring.

 

[dory36]

Came home from riding the bike and stopped off to check the mail.  Right on top was a letter from the VA with the notice of "important information" inside.  Yep, I'm a victim of Captain Doofus putting my info on his/her laptop and carrying it home.  Small comfort that I have twenty something other million vets to join in my misery. 

So, any other vets get their letters yet?  And, if so, are you doing anything different to protect your credit?

Mine came today too.

If someone steals my identity, can I have a different one next time?

 

[Arif]

I was hoping the same thing but it was not meant to be. I have the same link bookmarked and it worked for me. Try just typing in www.annualcreditreport.com and see if that works.

hmmmm maybe they block my access because I'm accessing it from out of the US. I get the same thing from napster. I'll have my bank pull the reports.

 

[Nords]

hmmmm maybe they block my access because I'm accessing it from out of the US.

I don't know if you're using IE/Windows, but if the status bar counts up to one or two green rectangles before pausing and then gives up-- you've been blocked.

We got our letters yesterday. We were due for our four-month credit report anyway, so I'm going to wait another month to give the crooks a chance to work through the alphabet avoid the rush.

 

[Bimmerbill]

Got mine too. I do the 1 credit report every 3/4 month thing, so I will be watching.

Did you notice one of the veterans groups filed a class action lawsuit asking for $1k for each of us?

 

[runnerr]

Which group and how do I get on the list?

 

[Bimmerbill]

I think the VFW.

 

[Arif]

Why is it when corporate america screws up and lets our information out the offer free credit watching, etc. But when the government screws up they say be careful and good luck monitoring your credit? At a minimum the government should offer the same kinds of protection as the private sector.

 

[CCdaCE]

... and there's nothing like getting charged $ for something that someone else tracks, but you are totally responsible for.

Lets see, I have to pay to see a rating system that someone else developed, but I am a slave to?

Blah. Communism!

-CC

 

[Gonzo]

I got my letter from the VA today...

Gonzo

 

[Cut-Throat]

My guess is that they sent out letters to all veterans. I got a letter today.


Absent from the FAQ section was the most important question of all. "Was my name actually in the stolen names? No mention of cutoff dates etc.

Answer to the above FAQ - "We don't have a Fricken Clue!"

 

[trixs]

Decided to check my mail after reading this post.. Sure enough I got one as well.

 

[REWahoo]

Me too. I separated from the military in 1978.

 

[Jarhead*]

Me too.  I separated from the military in 1978.

I bid Sayornara to the U.S M.C. after a 4 year tour in 1957. I haven't received a letter.
I want my damn letter!

Maybe it's in the "dead file".

 

[Cut-Throat]

Maybe it's in the "dead file".

Took the words right out of my mouth!

 

[Caroline]

Me too. I separated from the military in 1978.

As usual, I'm confused. When they say "veteran" do they mean someone with 20 years in, pension, healthcare -- the whole shebang.

I got my credit reports frozen for general purposes, but I didn't get a letter so I assumed it was just all you 20-year folks who had to worry.

Am I wrong?

Thanks,
Caroline

 

[Cut-Throat]

As usual, I'm confused. When they say "veteran" do they mean someone with 20 years in, pension, healthcare -- the whole shebang.

I got my credit reports frozen for general purposes, but I didn't get a letter so I assumed it was just all you 20-year folks who had to worry.

Am I wrong?

Thanks,
Caroline

Yes, you are wrong. - A veteran is anyone that served, no matter how long. I was only in the Navy for 4 years.

 

[audreyh1]

Me too.  I separated from the military in 1978.

Same with DH.  We were very surprised to get a letter (and how did they know his current address?!?!?!)

LOL - I guess the same way the IRS does - the USPS notifies them whenever they get an address change?

Audrey

 

[REWahoo]

As usual, I'm confused. When they say "veteran" do they mean someone with 20 years in, pension, healthcare -- the whole shebang.

I got my credit reports frozen for general purposes, but I didn't get a letter so I assumed it was just all you 20-year folks who had to worry.

Am I wrong?

Thanks,
Caroline

Caroline, I wasn't a lifer didn't put in 20 years and don't have any of those benefits you mentioned, but I did get a letter. As I understand it, it's anyone who was discharged from the military after 1975.