The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accidentally exposed several veterans confidential information after a mix-up in records.
Michelle Bruce, a veteran, became aware of the issue after she filed an open records request with the VA Regional Office in Atlanta. In addition to her records, Bruce received records of several other veterans, including names and Social Security numbers.
To me its outrageous. It could have been a simple mistake, but it is not a simple mistake to my eyes; maybe VAs eyes, but not to me, Michelle Bruce said.
We want to apologize to Ms. Bruce and are sorry for any confusion and inconvenience that we may have caused. We will investigate this matter and review our processes to ensure that this does not happen again. The Atlanta VA Medical Center is dedicated to providing world class health care to this nation’s heroes, our Veterans, said Gregory Kendall at the Atlanta VA Medical Center.
The issue there is totally outrageous; like I said, it is an HR nightmare, Bruce said.
This could happen to anyone, said Cedric Cole, who is one of the veterans whose identity was compromised. I dont know whose hands it could have gotten into. Therefore, leery of my future.
Cole said he filed a complaint with the VA, through U.S. Rep. David Scotts office.
This person whoever did this needs to be demoted, Bruce said.
