Nearly 1,000 Oregon veterans’ info possibly compromised

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs said Monday it has recently determined that the personal information of 967 Oregon veterans may have been compromised.

“A preliminary and ongoing investigation indicates that copies of DD214’s (DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) may have been in the possession of a person unauthorized to handle this information,” the agency stated.

“At this, time there is no evidence to suggest that there has been any attempt to misuse the information,” ODVA added. “However, because personal information such as Social Security number, date of birth, address and full name is typically on discharge documents, ODVA is treating this compromise with critical importance.”

The agency said all affected veterans have been mailed a notification and offered credit monitoring services for a full year at no charge.

ODVA Director Cameron Smith said, “Beyond the more immediate investigation and response for our veterans that are impacted, I have also asked our leadership team for a broader review of our policies and internal controls around veterans’ confidentiality and privacy.”

“The trust our veterans have in our ability to keep their personal information private goes to the core of our work,” Smith added.

In announcing the security breach, the agency said it “takes great pride in our advocacy on behalf of Oregon veterans and deeply regrets this release of personal information.”