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Privacy, Copyright, and Permission to Link Statement

For Immediate Release
Contact: Barbara Clay or Christin Tinsworth
202-225-8933
November 6, 2001

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers from two congressional committees will further examine measures to safeguard Americans’ primary identifier – the Social Security number. 

Last week, Social Security Inspector General Jim Huse confirmed for a Ways and Means panel that some of the September 11^th terrorists illegally obtained Social Security numbers (SSNs) and then used them to shield their identities from law enforcement as they carried out their horrific plan.

That is why two House subcommittees have come together to jointly determine how these important identifiers can be best secured from both terrorists and criminals.  Witnesses will explore how SSNs are issued, what happens to SSNs when an individual dies, and for what purposes SSNs are used by the private sector.

Because the financial services industry relies fundamentally on SSNs as the common identifier to assemble accurate financial information, they are in a unique position to now assist in prevention of SSN fraud and abuse. The industry's timely receipt of death information and prompt updating of financial data is key in preventing identity theft. 

Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Clay E. Shaw (R-FL) said, “Social Security numbers are far too easily used by criminals or terrorists to steal identities and obtain false documents. We hope that the financial services industry will embrace efforts to protect the privacy of American’s Social Security numbers.  It is critical to our nation's response to terrorism.”