Senators Hassan, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Aid Victims of Identity Theft

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and a bipartisan group of their colleagues to introduce the Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act to provide more efficient help to Americans whose social security numbers have been misused following an 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 Social Security Administration (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.

“When criminals steal Americans’ identities, it can wreak havoc on their lives and financial security. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, there have even been reports of scammers stealing Americans’ identities and taking their COVID-19 stimulus payments,” said Senator Hassan. “The last thing any American needs when their identity is stolen is to wade through multiple, frustrating processes. That’s why I’m pleased to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in introducing this commonsense bill that sets up one direct place for Americans to go if their Social Security number is stolen and misused.”

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

The commonsense 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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