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Committee
on Ways and Means For Immediate Release Response to Terrorism: Strengthening Privacy Safeguards of Americans’ Social Security Numbers WASHINGTON – Next week lawmakers will examine the need to better safeguard Americans’ Social Security numbers in the wake of terrorist attacks on the United States. “Social Security is called upon after a crisis to assist victims, but having a secure system is critical to preventing future attacks,” said Chairman Clay Shaw of the Social Security Subcommittee. “Social Security numbers have become the most frequently used personal identifier, and are far too easily used by criminals or terrorists to steal identities and obtain false documents. It’s long past time for us to act to protect the privacy of Americans’ Social Security numbers.” The bipartisan “Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act” (H. R. 2036), introduced earlier this year, strengthens privacy safeguards by restricting the sale and public display of Social Security numbers in the public and private sectors. However, further legislative proposals, along with action by the Social Security Administration, may be warranted in light of reports that terrorist hijackers used stolen identities. After the tragic September 11 attacks on America, the Social Security Administration (SSA) stepped up to expeditiously process benefit claims for victims and their families. They continue to operate family assistance centers both near the Pentagon attack and in Manhattan and New Jersey. The importance of SSA in the time of a crisis highlights the necessity for continual improvements to the security and effectiveness of the system.
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