Smucker Introduces Legislation to Protect Children from Identity Theft

Washington-Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, introduced the Social Security Child Protection Act to better protect children from fraud when their Social Security cards are lost or stolen.

The legislation would require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to issue a new, different Social Security Number (SSN) to an individual under the age of 14, if the card is lost or stolen while being issued to the child in the mail.

"Protecting children from identity fraud is something all of Washington should agree with. Unfortunately, current policies from the Social Security Administration make it difficult for children to receive new Social Security Numbers when their card gets lost in the mail, but this commonsense legislation changes that. This bill should be advanced without delay," said Rep. Lloyd Smucker.

Background:

• Social Security cards are only issued to children after their parents complete an application, either at the hospital immediately after birth, or in person at a Social Security office.
• Once the application is processed by the SSA, a card is issued and mailed to the child.
• Under current policy, if that card is stolen or lost in the mail, the SSA will not issue the child a new SSN until that child is the victim of fraud and reports it within 2 years of the fraud taking place.
• Child victims of Social Security fraud often learn of the fraud years after it occurs. Changing your SSN as an adult resets your credit history and complicates your ability to keep track of government and employment records. By allowing a child to replace their SSN before entering adulthood, they can be spared from these difficult situations.
• The SSA is responsible for securely issuing Social Security cards and should take preventative action when that card does not make it to the child.

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