Senate Passes Hassan-Backed Bipartisan Bill to Aid Victims of Identity Theft

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate yesterday passed bipartisan legislation, introduced by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and other colleagues, to require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide a single point of contact to help Americans who are victims of identity theft.

Misuse of Social Security numbers is a large and growing problem, and identity theft victims face hurdles when trying to resolve issues with large, multi-office agencies such as the SSA. Currently, a victim may have to engage in multiple procedures with numerous representatives at SSA to resolve Social Security-related identity theft issues. The Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act requires SSA to assign a single point of contact to resolve an identity theft victim’s issues, aiming to make the process more efficient and less frustrating for victims.

“Identity theft can upend the lives and finances of Americans. We must make it as simple as possible for them to put their lives back in order,” Senator Hassan said. “This common-sense, bipartisan legislation would streamline the process of helping victims of identity theft by establishing one point of contact at the Social Security Administration. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this bipartisan legislation without delay.”

Following reports of scammers seeking to steal Americans’ identities and COVID-19 stimulus payments, Senator Hassan called for the Internal Revenue Service to continue strengthening its fraud prevention efforts and further educate Americans about these scams.

The bipartisan Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act has the endorsement of numerous groups, including: AARP; the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC); the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM); the National Council of Social Security Management Associations (NCSSMA); National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR); and Social Security Works.

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