What is PII?
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) refers to sensitive data that can be used to identify a specific individual. It includes information such as a person's name, Social Security number, date of birth, address, and phone number. You can find more examples of PII below.
PII is a fundamental aspect of an individual's privacy, and its protection is paramount. When it comes to Veterans, the protection of their PII is especially significant for several key reasons:
Identity theft prevention: PII is a prime target for identity thieves. If a person’s PII is compromised, it can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and significant personal hardship. Protecting their PII helps safeguard them from such malicious activities.
Veterans' health and well-being: Veterans often rely on the healthcare system for their medical needs. Protecting their PII, especially medical records, is crucial to ensure they receive appropriate and confidential healthcare services without fear of unauthorized access or disclosure.
Military and service records: Veterans' service records contain critical information about their service history, benefits, and entitlements. Protecting this data is essential to ensure veterans receive the support and benefits they've earned through their service.
Trust and confidence: Protecting Veterans' PII is essential for maintaining their trust and confidence in the institutions and organizations that serve them, including government agencies and Veterans' support organizations.
Examples of PII
Examples of PII encompass a wide range of data that can be used to identify specific individuals. Here are some common examples of PII that you’ll want to delete or scrub out of notes or video:
When in doubt, scrub it out: If you aren't sure if something qualifies as PII, you should consider scrubbing or deleting it before socializing.
General
Participants face
Name
Email addresses
Address (whole or part)
Home or office phone numbers
Fax numbers
Social Security number
Driver's license number
Age
Date and place of birth
Mother’s maiden name
Marital status
Race
General educational credentials
Digital
Biometric data, like fingerprints or facial recognition data
IP address
Military
Military Rank or Civilian Grade
Number of years of military service (combining the number of years with a rank can constitute PII)
Military service number (used until 1974)
Claim form (print or digital)
Financial
Employment information
Salary
Payment history
Financial account number
Medical
Medical records
Name and address of health care provider
Diagnosis
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