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Veterans & military getting taken advantage of?

Posted on Jun 23, 2006 by Tom Fragala

By now we’ve all heard about the data breach at the VA. And the VA announced on Wednesday they would provide free credit monitoring (and possibly credit reports) for at least a year for anyone effected. So, can someone explain to me why credit reporting companies are offering a special deals or “discounts” on credit monitoring? Why should a veteran or service member pay money for credit reports or credit monitoring when they are going to be eligible to get it for free? It makes no sense to me.

And by the way, if you are a vet or in the military, DO NOT order one of the pay-for credit reports. These reports are different (less useful information) then the reports you get for FREE when you are a victim. And it’s NOT necessary to use your one free annual credit report you are entitled to in this situation (per the FACT Act). You are all victims here. You get a credit report for free, anyway! And you are entitled to place a fraud alert on your credit files. In addition to this, all active duty service members are entitled by law to a special, free active duty alert. See my post here with complete instructions.

Update: Here’s an example. Experian has a web page dedicated to the VA data breach. No where on this page do they mention the free one year active duty alerts for our troops. And by now it’s common knowledge that the VA data theft included personal data on 2.2 million active military personnel including the reserve and National Guard. They are entitled to this alert via the FACTA law. This active duty alert also removes their names from all prescreened offers of credit and insurance for two years.

Update 2: And here’s another post I wrote recently about a 6 month “free” credit monitoring offer to veterans, except it isn’t.

Update 3: Yet another company taking advantage of vets fear? TrustedID is offering their “Credit freeze” service for 50% off through June 30. So veterans only have a few days to make a decision. I recommend veterans just pass on that offer—you get many rights as a victim already (free credit reports, fraud alerts) and there are many efforts being made on your behalf to provide services to you in light of this data breach.