Search Privacy Violations, Breaches and Complaints
This database was last updated in December 2015 ago and should only be used as a historical snapshot. More recent data on breaches affecting 500 or more people is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Breach Portal.
VA Southeast Network (VISN 7)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on November 18, 2011. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000068815, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Charleston, SC
Issue:
A Financial Service Center (FSC) Privacy Officer received a telephone call from Individual A at 1:15 pm who advised that he received travel documents in an envelope addressed from Individual B at the VA Medical Center, 109 B. Street, Charleston SC. 29401-5799. The documents did not belong to him, but rather a Veteran C and contained full SSN and banking information. Other telephone numbers listed on the documents were 512-877-9791 (our customer help desk) and 843-871-8929. Individual A has custody of the documents and is awaiting return instructions. Update: 11/18/11:Veteran C will receive a letter offering credit protection services.11/28/11:update: The Veteran (Veteran A) who received another Veteran's (Veteran B)paperwork stated he had submitted documents to have his travel pay direct deposited around the same time. The PO been unable to locate Veteran A's documents. The PO has contacted Fiscal department but prior to their involvement, several employees from HAS were involved in handling paperwork for direct deposit of travel pay. Thus PO cannot determine who committed the mailing error or where Veteran A's paperwork is presently located. Therefore Veteran A will receive an offer for credit protection services.
Outcome:
Privacy Officer was unable to identify the perpetrator of the error since several employees were involved with processing paperwork sent back to the facility to set up Veteran's direct deposit of future travel pay payments. However, the duties now reside with the Supervisor over Payroll and Cashiers. The Supervisor has established a SOP for processing applications for direct deposits as well as keeping a log of all documents sent back to Veterans for corrections. PO will scan redacted copy of letter sent to Veteran regarding Credit Protection offerings into this ticket which will send a notification to close said ticket.