The Department of Veterans Affairs has failed to provide adequate warning to Veterans that their Veterans Identification Cards (VIC) can be scanned to reveal their Social Security Numbers.
Anyone with an IPhone or Android smart phone can download a QR code app and scan any VIC issued since 2004. Once scanned, the cardholders’ social security number immediately displays on the screen.
The VA has published warnings about the risk of identify theft, on their website in 2011 and in July of this year.
The alert states:
Veterans are warned to keep their VIC safe and secure. Some bar code 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. This could make the Veteran subject to identity theft if the card is lost or stolen.
About time we separate using our SSN to both identify and authenticate who we are. It’s like using your email address as your username and password to log in to your online accounts. Just a dumb idea with tons of security holes.