INDIANA (UPDATE) FEDS JOIN INVESTIGATION INTO RECENT VA COMPUTER THEFT WISH TV 8: Indianapolis News and Weather - Feds Join Congressman in VA Hospital Theft Investigation

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Feds Join Congressman in VA Hospital Theft Investigation

Posted: Nov 20, 2007 06:52 PM

By Karen Hensel
24-Hour News 8 @ 6:00

INDIANAPOLIS - The Inspector General of Veterans Affairs and an Indiana congressman are in town investigating why there was another security breach at the VA hospital.

The Veteran's Day theft puts 12,000 central Indiana veterans at risk of identity theft. Now, with the FBI and IMPD tracking the case, there is a message for the thieves.

The Inspector General has been investigating at the Roudebush VA Medical Center since Thursday, and confirms he is treating it as a crime scene.

With so many veterans at risk, Indiana Congressman Steve Buyer flew in with staff to tour the medical center alongside the director and the chief information officer.

Buyer wants answers.

"Veterans have a right to be upset. They have a right to be concerned," said Buyer.

"The computers that were stolen were in a locked office. And it is being investigated as how that office was accessed," said Susan Bowers, Director of Roudebush VA Medical Center.

Buyer guesses the thief was unaware of the impact of the crime.

"There's an individual that is dealing with the 'oh my God' factor. 'I stole it. I thought I was just gonna make a quick buck. I had no idea this information was on there.' And they're scared."

One of the stolen computers contained the names, social security numbers and other sensitive information of more than 12,000 veterans.

"We have staff 24-hours, seven days a week, 365 a year. As such it's much more difficult for us to lock down the entire facility and that does create vulnerabilities," said Bowers.

"I have a message for the thieves. You are the only one that can mitigate the stupidity of your act. And that is, come forward and bring these computers back," added Buyer.

The VA is looking at increasing the physical security of the building along with information security. New rules gave the VA three years to get the technology up to date to protect the veteran's information. We're in the middle of a three-year period.

Meanwhile, Roudebush is sending letters to all of the 12,000 veterans and the VA pays for a year of credit monitoring.