house Bill H.R. 624
Do the Feds Need to Deter Identity Theft by Not Mailing Documents With Social Security Numbers?
Argument in favor
As a common sense way of preventing identity theft and Social Security fraud, federal agencies should avoid mailing documents with full Social Security numbers to the greatest extent possible.
05/24/2017
Why not utilize the currently favored "last four" that financial institutions of every description use already?
05/24/2017
This is something already being implemented in other agencies that deal with personal private information. It's time to get on board. This shouldn't even be a question in 2017.
05/22/2017
Seems like a sensible answer, but WOW, one year to take affect. Can't imagine why the this important number would be printed in plain site when issuing documents states the "your SS information should be protected and kept in a safe location."
Argument opposed
The federal government should continue to mail documents with full Social Security numbers and not spend time framing regulations aimed at reducing the use of full SSNs.
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05/24/2017
Nay. The government needs to provide equal access to information to all. There are still more people than many realize who don't have internet access and are dependent upon the mail for important communication. These folks will be lost if expected to access information via email. Identity theft is a valid concern, but not sending mail is not the answer. Use the last 4 or something like that.
05/24/2017
This is coming from a perspective of a tax preparation volunteer. While it might not be necessary to have a SSN on EVERY single legal document, there is most certainly a benefit to having this number available on documents such as a W2 or other income documents to allow for proper identification and therefore adequate tax preparation. Additionally, a large number of my clients do not have an email address or other means of electronic communication to receive these documents via email. With all this in mind, while maybe some documents can exclude this number, it is necessary to provide proper identification for individuals who are not technologically inclined.
05/24/2017
This does seem like a no-brainer but I doubt it will substantially reduce identity theft when we've all been pwned or had our user-names, passwords, credit card info, and SSNs leaked in all kinds of data-breaches over the past decade. Maybe start with a bill that protects our info in a meaningful way. I actually find this bill incredibly ironic since the 115 congress is so utterly unconcerned with its citizens basic privacy-repealing the protections Obama gave us with the infamous S.J.Res. 34. (Thanks GOP! For clearly not giving a flying fuck about citizens rights to privacy). Really, this bill is not about our protections at all: it's only about protecting the government.
Why not utilize the currently favored "last four" that financial institutions of every description use already?
Nay. The government needs to provide equal access to information to all. There are still more people than many realize who don't have internet access and are dependent upon the mail for important communication. These folks will be lost if expected to access information via email. Identity theft is a valid concern, but not sending mail is not the answer. Use the last 4 or something like that.
This is something already being implemented in other agencies that deal with personal private information. It's time to get on board. This shouldn't even be a question in 2017.
Seems like a sensible answer, but WOW, one year to take affect. Can't imagine why the this important number would be printed in plain site when issuing documents states the "your SS information should be protected and kept in a safe location."
I think this is good, but we need to move AWAY from SSN for identity outside of social security. We should all have a credit ID, tax ID and SSN. All used for separate purposes so that if someone gets your SSN, they can't mess with your credit. Why has no representative pushed for this?
It is utter stupidity to have someone's SS ON A PUBLIC MAILING!
originally SSNs were not supposed to be used for identification but the government and the military began doing just that in the 70s. the result is that personal Id is now closely linked in easily accessible so we oldsters want to help those yet to have stolen ids.
Keep our information private. Identity theft is quite serious.
This is coming from a perspective of a tax preparation volunteer. While it might not be necessary to have a SSN on EVERY single legal document, there is most certainly a benefit to having this number available on documents such as a W2 or other income documents to allow for proper identification and therefore adequate tax preparation. Additionally, a large number of my clients do not have an email address or other means of electronic communication to receive these documents via email. With all this in mind, while maybe some documents can exclude this number, it is necessary to provide proper identification for individuals who are not technologically inclined.
This needs legislation? Social Security already dedacts all but the last four digits. Use some common sense. Of course this should happen, immediately upon enactment.
Man. After looking at the votes you all take I've decided that you have the easiest job on the planet.
Please stop mailing my ssn, it's very insecure and provides tools to hackers.
The days of including or asking for SSN and date of birth in documents or in an public forum needs to be over.
Yes, social security number should never be on any papers mailed by them. Should take effect as soon as possible to stop any possible theft of that most important number. When you first get your card, It says you should never carry your social security card on you, but store in a safe place. Well, it's not safe when it's in the mail coming to your house either.
If this is contributing to confidential intimation being accessible, then what every needs to be done to solve the problems needs to happen.
This does seem like a no-brainer but I doubt it will substantially reduce identity theft when we've all been pwned or had our user-names, passwords, credit card info, and SSNs leaked in all kinds of data-breaches over the past decade. Maybe start with a bill that protects our info in a meaningful way. I actually find this bill incredibly ironic since the 115 congress is so utterly unconcerned with its citizens basic privacy-repealing the protections Obama gave us with the infamous S.J.Res. 34. (Thanks GOP! For clearly not giving a flying fuck about citizens rights to privacy). Really, this bill is not about our protections at all: it's only about protecting the government.
Can we also maybe use an identification system that has more security than a library card? SSN was never meant to be an ID and it's extremely vulnerable.
The internet is infinitely more unsafe than the US postal service. Every GOP bill introduced so far is a waste of time and symbolic pandering.
Identity theft is real, yet the government that blames you if your ss card gets stolen, prints in out and mails it Willy Nilly!