house Bill H.R. 5320
Identity Theft: Should Full Social Security Numbers Not be Mailed?
Argument in favor
It is common sense that the Social Security Administration, whenever possible, should avoid mailing out documents to beneficiaries that include their full Social Security Numbers to prevent instances of identity theft.
09/20/2016
This is a no brainer. What amazes me is that we need a Bill to accomplish this. This should be a simple policy issue. Furthermore- instead of mailing anything, we should have the option to retrieve documents on a secure web site. So how about we focus on security and get out of the Stone Age.
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09/20/2016
The SSA should also discontinue using the social security number as the Medicare account number.
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08/11/2016
Really? We need a law to tell the SS Administration what is logical? Who is running the place? Only idiots?
Argument opposed
The Social Security Administration has to include full Social Security Numbers in some documents that it mails to beneficiaries, so it’s up to those receiving the mail to ensure that their documents aren’t misappropriated.
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09/21/2016
This is one of those things that sounds good but in fact is pointless. There are so many ways someone's SSN can be compromised. Seems like extra regulation for no reason. How about making it the job of the agency or business to validate the person using an SSN is who they say they are?
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09/20/2016
Having been a federal employee, this strikes me as micromanaging of the worst sort! This year's Planned Parenthood & Benghazi hearings taught me a resounding lesson about the current U.S.Congress: you don't do your homework! Nor do you hold yourselves to a very high standard--you clearly reserve the higher standard of showing up prepared to do your job for others but not for exalted personages such as yourselves! In case you are clueless--as usual--about the public perception of those hearings: 1. You were so worked up & self righteous about women's health care that you were prepared to cut funding for screening for breast & cervical cancer rather than risk your high moral standards. Unfortunately, you were so ill informed about how women's health care is delivered in the U.S.that your shiny white asses were visible to the world for hours! 2. The same was true about Benghazi: after months & months of repeated useless hearings, not one committee member had bothered to understand how the Department of State actually does internal communication! It was humiliating & infuriating to watch. I did NOT work at State but I do know how they do it and, let me assure you, in all your fiscally conservative splendor, that I did NOT get paid $174,000/year to show up badly prepared to do my federal job! I trust that the Social Security Administration is capable of doing this without bumbling congressional oversight. If your knickers are in a knot over this issue, appropriate adequate funding for decent computer systems & cyber security! This means you: Sen Rubio & Rep DeSantis!
This is a no brainer. What amazes me is that we need a Bill to accomplish this. This should be a simple policy issue. Furthermore- instead of mailing anything, we should have the option to retrieve documents on a secure web site. So how about we focus on security and get out of the Stone Age.
This is one of those things that sounds good but in fact is pointless. There are so many ways someone's SSN can be compromised. Seems like extra regulation for no reason. How about making it the job of the agency or business to validate the person using an SSN is who they say they are?
The SSA should also discontinue using the social security number as the Medicare account number.
Really? We need a law to tell the SS Administration what is logical? Who is running the place? Only idiots?
Makes sense to me. Anytime we can take precautions to prevent identity theft is worth the while. By the way, the opposing argument in this bill is another way of saying "not our problem".
Having been a federal employee, this strikes me as micromanaging of the worst sort! This year's Planned Parenthood & Benghazi hearings taught me a resounding lesson about the current U.S.Congress: you don't do your homework! Nor do you hold yourselves to a very high standard--you clearly reserve the higher standard of showing up prepared to do your job for others but not for exalted personages such as yourselves! In case you are clueless--as usual--about the public perception of those hearings: 1. You were so worked up & self righteous about women's health care that you were prepared to cut funding for screening for breast & cervical cancer rather than risk your high moral standards. Unfortunately, you were so ill informed about how women's health care is delivered in the U.S.that your shiny white asses were visible to the world for hours! 2. The same was true about Benghazi: after months & months of repeated useless hearings, not one committee member had bothered to understand how the Department of State actually does internal communication! It was humiliating & infuriating to watch. I did NOT work at State but I do know how they do it and, let me assure you, in all your fiscally conservative splendor, that I did NOT get paid $174,000/year to show up badly prepared to do my federal job! I trust that the Social Security Administration is capable of doing this without bumbling congressional oversight. If your knickers are in a knot over this issue, appropriate adequate funding for decent computer systems & cyber security! This means you: Sen Rubio & Rep DeSantis!
Identity Theft is one of the worst crimes in existence and is incredibly difficult to fight. It should be a no brainer that all levels of government should be doing whatever is possible to prevent it from happening.
No more federal government it up to us on the receiving end
This is a policy that is past due. Identity theft is a threat that affects every citizen.
As far back as I can clearly remember, only the last 4 digits are used to identify one self. And I would really like to know how many other people are using my SSN. So far…silence. Therefore, the IRS knows who are using our SSN and won't investigate the user. A FLAT TAX would solve this problem overnight. Kinda like everyone would/could participate in our democracy.
Vast majority of identity theft comes from stolen trash, not credit card terminal hacking or personal computer spying. It is beyond stupid for anyone to mail out a full social security number.
Any precaution we can take to reduce identity theft now days is a plus. Our Social security card is almost like our fingerprints, why would you not protect that number!!!
There is no need to mail out any type of document with the full Social Security number. All Social Security numbers should be concealed with government oversight. This information should be restricted with the exception of basic employment records, private health sector, financial records, or government agencies. I profoundly believe there should be government oversight to protect the privilege of having a social security number. As the government certainly knows how much money is contributed by each individual, a security system to protect the integrity of the program should be consistently monitored.
when the neighborhood mail box was broken into last Dec. they got 2 IRS payment agreements with our full SS #. When the SS Dept sends me information they use the full #. As long as thief's can so easily obtain this we are all at danger of Identity theft. Replacing the locked mailbox was the least of my worry.
No brainier. SSA could have thought this one up themselves if Congress would let them do their jobs and pay back what it "borrowed" from the trust fund.