ALCOAST 398/07
COMDTNOTE 5211
SUBJ: MISSING PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION (PII)
1. FOLLOWING A RECENT MOVE OF SOME HEADQUARTERS STAFF OFFICES FROM
THE TRANSPOINT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING TO THE JEMAL BUILDING ONE
BLOCK AWAY, SIX TO EIGHT BINDERS CONTAINING PAPER COPIES OF
WORKLIFE REPORTS COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE COAST GUARD
INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF AN INVESTIGATION OF
THE LOSS. THE EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT THE REPORTS WERE DISCARDED OR
DESTROYED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OFFICE MOVE. THERE ARE NO
ELECTRONIC DATA INVOLVED AND THERE IS NO INDICATION AT THIS POINT
THAT ANY OF THE REPORTS HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED OUTSIDE OF THE COAST
GUARD.
2. THE BINDERS CONTAIN COPIES OF QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEWS (QARS)
OF FAMILY ADVOCACY AND SPECIAL NEEDS CASES FROM 1997 TO 2006.
THESE PAPER COPY QARS INCLUDE PERSONAL INFORMATION ON UNIFORMED
SERVICE, FAMILY MEMBERS AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES IN AN ABBREVIATED
SUMMARY FORMAT. THE MISSING REPORTS DO NOT CONTAIN FULL CASE
HISTORIES, BUT COULD INCLUDE PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION,
SUCH AS NAMES AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS.
3. WHILE WE BELIEVE APPROXIMATELY 3,500 INDIVIDUALS MAY BE
IDENTIFIED IN THESE REPORTS, THE COMMANDANT WILL NOTIFY IN WRITING
ALL 6,200 INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE INVOLVED WITH THE SPECIAL NEEDS AND
FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM DURING THIS PERIOD, INCLUDING THOSE WHO
HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE SERVICE. WE ARE ALSO OBTAINING FIELD
OFFICE RECORDS TO FURTHER REFINE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHOSE
INFORMATION MAY BE IN THE MISSING QARS. WE WILL AFFORD ALL WHO MAY
BE IMPACTED WITH IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION, CREDIT MONITORING
SERVICES AND OTHER SUPPORT AS APPROPRIATE.
4. WE ARE STAFFING A CALL CENTER HOTLINE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
ON THIS ISSUE. THE CALL CENTER MAY BE REACHED AT 1-888-286-7013,
AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED AT
WWW.USCG.MIL/DATASECURITY. THE CALL CENTER WILL OPERATE 24/7 UNTIL
1800 EDT ON 27 AUGUST. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, CONTACT
THE CALL CENTER. THE CALL CENTER WILL COLLECT PERTINENT
INFORMATION AND DIRECT YOUR CONCERNS TO THE PROPER USCG
REPRESENTATIVE WHO WILL RETURN YOUR CALL.
5. THIS INCIDENT IS ABOUT BOTH PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL SECURITY AND
MAY CAUSE ANXIETY. I DEEPLY REGRET THAT THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED.
TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, I HAVE DIRECTED THE OFFICE OF
WORK-LIFE TO IMMEDIATELY REVIEW INTERNAL PROCEDURES AND TAKE
CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TO ENSURE THAT PRIVATE INFORMATION IS FULLY
PROTECTED.
6. AS FURTHER INFORMATION IS KNOWN I WILL UPDATE YOU VIA ALCOAST.
COMMANDS SHOULD ENSURE WIDEST DISSEMINATION OF THIS INFORMATION.
7. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.
8. VICE ADMIRAL R.J. PAPP JR., SENDS.

The CG has always been very good at mishandling records of all sorts.

I am sure that those whom participate in this MANDATORY program may think twice now about using it if lax controls of personal info are not fixed.

Don't get me started about this "mandatory" program that has gotten me orders pulled after being promised I could transfer and then getting the wonderful picks left at the end of transfer season.

Oh, and I recieved a personal letter in reference to this wonderful message...

I think this program goes un-monitored and makes up rules as it goes along within their guidelines. I felt like I was descriminated against using this policy because of my family issues and even tried to go "geo" and was told no.

Yeah. Love this program...