The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee introduced two bills last week in an attempt to prevent identity theft by enhancing protections for social security numbers (SSNs).
The first bill, titled the Social Security MAIL Act (H.R. 1513), would prevent the Social Security Administration from mailing documents containing a full SSN unless it is deemed necessary. The administration must also provide justification when it is necessary to include full SSNs in mailed documents. The act was introduced by U.S. Reps. Sam Johnson (R-TX), John Larsen (D-CT), and Jim Renacci (R-OH).
“I am concerned with the Social Security Administration unnecessarily placing full SSNs on millions of documents that are sent out each year,” Renacci said. “Since I was a personal victim of identity theft, I am pleased to join Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Larson in reintroducing this commonsense bipartisan proposal to reduce the risk of Americans having their identity stolen by removing unnecessary SSNs from mailed documents.”
The second bill, titled the Social Security Child Protection Act (H.R. 1512), would require the Social Security Administration to issue a new SSN to children under 14 who have had their personal social security card stolen after it was mailed by the administration. The act was introduced by U.S. Reps. Kenny Marchant (R-TX) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX).
“Protecting our children now from identity theft can prevent future financial heartache,” Doggett said. “This legislation takes an important step by working with the Social Security Administration to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors are kept safe from potential financial hardships.”
Both bills are set to be considered by the House of Representatives.