WASHINGTON, D.C. – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) delivered the following remarks during debate in the U.S. House of Representatives on H.R. 5345, the Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act.

As prepared for delivery.

“In recent years, the theft and misuse of Social Security numbers has become a serious problem in our country. In 2024 alone, there were over 3,000 reported data breaches and over half of them included compromised Social Security numbers.

“For victims, the fallout can be overwhelming. Instead of finding clear guidance at the Social Security Administration to deal with this stressful situation, too many folks are bounced from one office to another, receiving conflicting instructions and spending months trying to resolve what should be a straightforward issue. 

“During a previous hearing of the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, we heard directly from a mother about how a single point of contact at the SSA would have been beneficial to helping her deal with the fallout from her daughter’s Social Security number being compromised.

“Protecting Americans from identity theft is not a partisan issue. This bill provides a simple and commonsense fix to provide victims of identity theft with a single point of contact at the Social Security Administration when their number is lost or compromised. 

“I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

“I’d also like to thank Congressman David Kustoff for his leadership on this bill. Thanks to his work, victims of identity theft whose Social Security numbers have been compromised will get the help they need.”