By Howard Altman
The Tampa Tribune
The Department of Veterans Affairs is investigating the "inappropriate removal" from the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital of records that contain personal information about hundreds of veterans who had received treatment there."This is an active, open investigation," said Haley spokeswoman Carolyn Clark, who would not say where the records were taken from, who took them, or why.
Someone used the information taken from Haley to open at least one debit card account in the name of one of the hospital's patients, according to Tampa police records.
The security breach was reported to the hospital by the VA's Office of Inspector General, said Clark, who would not say when the records were discovered missing. The VA's Office of Inspector General declined comment, referring questions to the Tampa Police Department.
Veterans whose information was compromised say they are livid.
"This is unacceptable," said Navy veteran John Toborg, who found out about the security breach at Haley last week when he received a letter from the hospital stating his records, which contained his name and Social Security number, were "inappropriately removed" from the hospital.
The entire story can be found here.
