There appears to be a serious security flaw in the ID cards currently issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. According to several reports, anyone with a smartphone and bar code reader app can read the owner’s Social Security number.
Anyone w/ a smartphone & bar code app can scan any veteran's V.A. ID card issued since '04 & the SSN will display: http://t.co/yKDrFqyQe5
— Dissent Doe, PhD (@PogoWasRight) November 16, 2013
Anyone with a smartphone and a bar code app can scan any VA identification card issued since 2004 and the cardholder’s Social Security number immediately pops up on the screen.
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No one from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs would go on camera to answer questions.
A VA spokesperson did respond, saying they’ve begun work on the next-generation ID card, which will not contain a Social Security number.
However, it’s not being rolled out until next year.
ID Cards issued by the VA can easily be scanned for a veteran's SSN! Incompetence at the VA must be stopped! Join us! http://t.co/oLRP10JCWy
— VET PAC (@veteranpac) November 21, 2013
Scannable VA cards easily reveal Social Security numbers, put veterans at risk of #IdentityTheft http://t.co/AnsXBiXpYc #SSN
— Bruce Demarest (@BruceDemarest) November 18, 2013
Fraud Alert for All Veterans – Don’t Carry Your VA Card in Your Wallet!! It's easy to get your SSN from it,… http://t.co/Q5PEI6Khiu
— Ken 'KC' Crane (@kctech) November 11, 2013
Forewarned is forearmed. The barcode on the front of your VA card includes your SSN, can be read with a… http://t.co/SNpmoFZqPr
— Doctrine Man (@Doctrine_Man) November 29, 2013
Until a fix is in place, TCPalm recommends that veterans “treat their current ID cards as they do their Social Security card and leave home without it, unless it is needed for a day-of appointment.”
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