Also testifying were:

Cynthia M. Fagnoni, Managing Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security, US Government Accountability Office Joel Winston, Associate Director, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection. Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission Nicole Robinson, North Atlantic Coast Volunteer Coordinator, Identity Theft Resource Center, San Diego California Mary C. MsQueen, on behalf of the Council of State Court Administrators, Williamsburg, Virginia Erik Stein, member, BITS Fraud Reduction Steering Committee Stuart K. Pratt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Data Industry Association

The Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Social Security has been holding a series of hearings on issues relating to Social Security numbers, including many issues, including card security features and how the Social Security Administration can also secure the data.  This hearing focused largely on issues surrounding how SSN’s can be used by persons who commit identity theft, what can be done about it, and how any restrictions would affect commerce and the private sector in general.   The Subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Jim McCrery (R-LA) who is holding several hearings to educate Members of Congress on the issue.   Subcommittee members did ask several insightful questions throughout the afternoon.

Ms. Robinson was a victim of ID theft who testified that a health insurance employee with the same first and last name got hold of her SSN and opened numerous accounts.  A highlight of her testimony was when she indicated that she received little assistance from police, who were unable or unwilling to assist her to the extent necessary.  She stated this in response to the Chairman’s question about why some people did not report ID theft to the police.  Bruce Hulme replied that there were jurisdictional issues as well as a lack of resources that made it difficult for law enforcement to assist, and that’s why people turn to private investigators.   Hulme pointed to an earlier response to a question to Joel Winston who indicated that the FTC had brought only a few  ID theft cases.

Stuart Pratt and Erik Stein both testified about how the SSN is essential for fighting fraud.  They pointed to several categories of individuals with similar names who can only be distinguished by use of a single identifier.

Other members of the Committee asked Hulme “what can be done to reduce ID theft”.  He said that SSN’s should not be printed on drivers licenses, health id’s and similar documents and should not be available on the Internet to the general public.

Copies of all the witness’ prepared statements are available at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=471.

As reported earlier, Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA) and Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX) have stated that they will be considering legislation to prohibit the sale of SSN’s.  This hearing indicates that the Ways and Means Committee, with primary jurisdiction over the issue, may develop its own legislation on the subject and seek jurisdiction over any bills regulating how SSN’s are used.

NCISS Legislative Committee member Nicole Bocra attended the hearing as well.