Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act
This bill, the Improving Social Security's Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act, would add a new provision to the Social Security Act to create a single point of contact within the Social Security Administration (SSA) for people whose Social Security numbers have been misused or whose SSN card was lost in transit. The SSA would establish procedures so a dedicated team or subset of specially trained employees remains responsible for an individual’s case from start to finish, coordinating with other SSA units to resolve issues as quickly as possible. The measure includes an emphasis on maintaining continuous records and case history, and ensuring the victim is notified as appropriate. The change would take effect 180 days after enactment.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of a single point of contact for identity theft victims within the SSA.
- 2The single point of contact must be a team or subset of specially trained staff who can coordinate across SSA units and remain accountable until the case is resolved.
- 3Procedures may allow the team composition to change as needed, but must ensure continuity of records/history and notify the individual when appropriate.
- 4The target cases include misuse of SSNs to fraudulently obtain benefits (Title II, Title VIII, or Title XVI) or any action affecting SSA records or prompting a need for a new SSN.
- 5Effective date: the new system would begin 180 days after enactment.