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UNISYS OFFERS $50,000 REWARD FOR RETURN OF ITS PC WITH

VA DATA -- Files on more than 38,000 veterans

are still "on the loose."

 

 

All information on VA data theft on this page...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/va%20data%20theft%20news.htm 

Story here... http://www.enterprisenetworksandservers.com/
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Story below:

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Unisys offers $50,000 reward for return of its PC with compromised VA data

 

Unisys Corp., in cooperation with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of a desktop computer associated with its work as a subcontractor on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Collection Management System.

This computer contains personal information on veterans who were treated at VA medical facilities in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Unisys is working with both the VA Office of the Inspector General and the FBI in the investigation of the recent disappearance of the computer from its Reston, Va., corporate facility.

The computer has a clear plastic side and external lighting.

Unisys issued the following statement Aug. 7 regarding the disappearance of the desktop computer:

"A desktop computer, which Unisys used for maintenance and support of a VA insurance collections management system, and which the company believes contained a copy of some VA data, is now missing.

The data are billing records with information for veterans who sought treatment in two VA medical centers (one in Philadelphia and one in Pittsburgh).

The information includes names, addresses, social security numbers and dates of birth. It does not include personal financial information.

The data were used only for insurance collections management purposes and may include insurance carrier and billing information as well as claims data with some medical information.

Unisys believes the desktop contained information on approximately 5,000 patients treated at Philadelphia, approximately 11,000 patients treated at Pittsburgh, and approximately 2,000 deceased patients.

Unisys and VA also are investigating the possibility that the computer may have contained information on approximately an additional 20,000 individuals who received care through the Pittsburgh medical center.

Immediately upon learning that the computer was missing, the company commenced a search and investigation.

Unisys promptly notified the VA and is actively assisting the VA and law enforcement agencies investigating the incident.

Unisys takes very seriously its responsibility to safeguard individuals' personal information and shares the concerns this incident will cause."

Unisys will be working with VA regarding the notification of potentially affected veterans and the offering of credit monitoring.

The company will continue to work with the VA and law enforcement to address this incident

Anyone who can provide information that leads to the recovery of the missing computer should call   1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324).

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Larry Scott

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