For the City-Times

Portage County Veteran Services Officer Michael Clements today warned VA identification cards can be easily scanned, making personal information attainable via any number of bar code readers- including cell phone apps.

A veteran’s social security number can stolen with the scan, making it easy to steal his or her identity.

Clements said the warning was published on the VA’s website, and can be found here.

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 website in 2011 and again in July, 2013.

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 careful as they do their Social Security card to prevent identity theft.

You may contact Mike Clements, Portage County Veterans Service officer with any questions or concerns at (715)-346-1310 or email; [email protected].