Changes to LES may reduce identity theft Published Feb. 13, 2004 ARLINGTON, Va. (AFPN) -- Leave and earning statements for all servicemembers and Defense Department civilians, and paychecks for military retirees will soon have more identity theft protection. Over the next several weeks, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will drop the first five digits of a person's Social Security number from all pay statements and checks to guard against identity theft."The changes apply to everyone," said Patrick Shine, acting director of DFAS. The proposal "originated internally and will be phased in over the next couple of pay periods."Reports of identity theft have substantially increased in recent years, according to the Federal Trade Commission, which monitors the issue.This change is to be for all hard copy leave and earning statements. This does not apply to electronic copies of statements found on myPay, the online system for access and control of customers personal pay information.Five years ago, the number of identity theft complaints to the FTC was roughly 23,400. By 2001, the rate had more than tripled to about 86,200. Based on figures released in January, the number of complaints of identity theft nearly topped 215,000 for 2003. The Social Security Administration also has taken the same step of eliminating the first five Social Security numbers on the millions of checks it issues.