Lost Common Access Card (CAC) Counseling

Purpose of Counseling

Common Access Card (CAC) Security

Refer to AR 600-8-14, paragraph 1.7. and MCM Article 108 for penalties for misuse of ID cards:

1.7. Penalties for Misuse of ID Cards. Any person willfully altering, damaging, lending, counterfeiting or using ID cards in an unauthorized manner is subject to fine, imprisonment, or both according to Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 499, 506, 509, 701, or 1001.

Article 108: e.(2) Through neglect damaging, destroying, or losing, or through neglect suffering to be lost, damaged, destroyed, sold, or wrongfully disposed of, military property. (a) of a value or damage of $500.00 or less. Confinment for 6 months, and forfeiture of two-thirds pay per month for 6 months.


Key Points of Discussion

The Common Access Card (CAC) is the most important form of identification we carry. We use it on a daily basis to identify ourselves and to access benefits and secure areas. Without it, we can't access NIPR, SIPR or other networks or receive e-mail. It is indispensable to our daily work and its loss causes an immediate work stoppage and prevents you from meeting your responsibilities as a member of this work center. In addition, if found, it may be used to gain unauthorized access to government facilities and property. It puts the security of the entire installation and the Soldiers and families who reside here, at risk. You must notify the MP Company of its loss and replace it immediately.


CAC and Your Privacy Privacy:

The CAC meets or exceeds applicable privacy laws and Geneva Convention requirements. More importantly, the data it stores can only be accessed through secure CAC applications. In fact, the information stored on a CAC cannot be accessed without:

o a Personal Identification Number (PIN)

o system access to the secure CAC applications required to interpret the data


To provide additional security, the card is:

o Issued according to sound criteria of personal identification

o Resistant to identity fraud, tampering, counterfeiting, and exploitation

o Designed to provide an electronic means of rapid authentication


Keeping Your CAC Secure:

o A personal identification number (PIN) is required to access information stored on a CAC. Only those authorized personnel who are granted access to the applications and secret keys can modify or delete the data added on the chip, and then only with your PIN.

o To protect the information on your CAC, you should never tell anyone your PIN or write it down where it can be found. Your PIN should be kept secure at all times, just like your Social Security Number. If you enter the incorrect PIN three times consecutively, the card is programmed to prevent further attempts to access your information.

o Any person willfully altering, damaging, lending, counterfeiting, or using these cards in any unauthorized manner is subject to fine or imprisonment or both. Unauthorized or fraudulent use of ID cards would exist if you used the card to obtain benefits and privileges to which you are not entitled. Examples of authorized photocopying include photocopying of DoD ID cards to facilitate medical care processing, check cashing, voting, or administering other military-related benefits to eligible beneficiaries.


Replacing Your Card

If you lose your card, you must present documentation from the local security office or CAC sponsor confirming that the CAC has been reported lost or stolen. This documentation must be scanned and stored in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).


Plan of Action

o report lost CAC card immediately to Chain of Command

o report loss of CAC card to DEERS

o immediately go to RAPIDS site locator and get a new card issued.

o take steps to prevent any further loss


Leader Responsibilities:

o follow up to ensure card was replaced

o review Soldier's plan to keep card secure in the future





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