Jim Alton’s February VA column: Be aware of identity risks

Veterans Alert: VA ID cards are easily scanned, putting identity at risk

The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued a warning to those who carry a veteran’s ID card, to keep them with you at all times and in your possession. The VA notes, “Anyone with a smartphone and a bar code app can scan any Department of Veterans Affairs identification card issued since 2004 and the cardholder’s Social Security number immediately pops up on the screen.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs published warnings about the veterans’ information cards (VICs) on their web site in 2011 and again in July 2013. The alert states, “Some barcode readers, including those available as applications on cell phones, can scan the bar code on the front of the card, and reveal the veteran’s social security number.”

VA has begun to work on a new type of card, which will not contain a Social Security number. Meanwhile, veterans should treat their current ID cards as just a carefully as they do their Social Security card to prevent identity theft.

 

Mystery gadgets opening cars for thieves

All over America, criminals are using improvised electronic devices to electronically unlock vehicles and steal whatever they find inside. These “mystery gadgets” reportedly recreate the same signals that the key fobs that so many of us carry around send out. Footage is popping up nationwide of thieves using these “mystery gadgets” to remotely unlock car doors and disable alarm systems. Once a car has been unlocked, it takes these thieves just a few moments to take what they want before leaving without a trace. This is now happening all over the country, and authorities do not know any way to prevent it from happening. For now, the most common piece of advice that police are giving to people is to not leave any valuables inside your vehicle at all.

 

What Guard members and Reservists need to know about USERRA

USERRA (Employment and Reemployment) gives members of the uniformed services re-employment protection and other benefits when military duty forces them to miss time from their civilian jobs. Provided that members of the Reserve Corps meet the eligibility criteria, USERRA mandates that returning service members must be promptly re-employed in the same position that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority. USERRA also requires that reasonable efforts (such as training or retraining) be made to enable returning service members to refresh or upgrade their skills to help them qualify for reemployment. Be sure your employer knows this important information if you are in the Guard or a Reservist.

 

Winter assistance for all Northern Michigan citizens

 

If you are having a problem paying your bills for heating, electric, telephone etc., the below information could be of great help!

Consumers Energy Assistance: visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com or call (800) 477-5050. At this site and phone number, you will not only get Consumers information but information for several other Michigan companies and government departments that can help you through the winter. Of course, there are restrictions based on income and other factors, but check them out and if you need help call our office at (231) 348-1780.

 

About the VA Duty to Assist Claims

A good number of Veterans Court decisions center around VA Duty to Assist Claims – that is, claims in which the VA violated the Duty to Assist in some way.

What is the VA Duty to Assist?

The VA Duty to Assist is an oft-quoted duty, both by veterans, their advocates, and those who adjudicate claims. Unfortunately, it is observed more in its breach than its fulfillment.

38 U.S.C. § 5103A is the statute that lays out the VA Duty to Assist.  It includes many things, but the principle components of that duty are:

The Duty to Notify the Veteran of the elements of the claim;

The Duty to Notify the Veteran of the evidence needed to prove the claim;

The Duty to Provide Medical Exams – both diagnostic and nexus – in certain situations;

The Duty to Assist the Veteran in developing the evidence;

The Duty to make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant records.

For more information on this and any other article we release, please call our office at 348-1780.

Jim Alton is the Director of the Veterans Affairs Department within Emmet County. Alton served in the United States Marine Corps (1955-62) and is retired from the Michigan State Police. Reach him or his assistant, Rick Wiertalla, at (231) 348-1780 or [email protected]

 

Jim Alton’s column runs each month in the Petoskey News-Review and on this web site.

 

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