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Improving Social Security's Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 1, 2025
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. KUSTOFF. Mr. Speaker, I thank our Ways and Means chairman, Jason Smith, not only for his strong leadership but for his support on this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, every year, more and more Americans are having their identity stolen. It is a sad fact. However, actors are becoming more sophisticated. They are using new technology to gain access to sensitive information. Just last year, there were over 3,000 separate data breaches that were reported, including many leaks involving stolen Social Security numbers.

Currently, when somebody has their identity stolen, they have got to navigate a baffling process at the Social Security Administration. The Ways and Means Committee has heard from victims who describe the process of regaining their identities as a bureaucratic nightmare. It is complex. It is lengthy, and it is frustrating. Sometimes they report being passed from representative to representative and from department to department. Sometimes they even get conflicting advice from people within the Social Security Administration.

As identity theft becomes more commonplace, the system at the Social Security Administration needs to be streamlined to work better for the victims. The Improving Social Security's Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act addresses this problem head-on.

Specifically, this bill will establish a single point of contact at the Social Security Administration for Americans who have had their Social Security numbers lost or stolen. Mr. Speaker, think of it as a one-stop shop for those trying to protect themselves from identity theft. Having a single point of reference, one point of contact, at the Social Security Administration will simplify the process, making it easier and faster for victims to get relief.

This piece of legislation was passed favorably out of the Ways and Means Committee with a strong bipartisan vote. Mr. Speaker, now it is time to act in a bipartisan manner to support Americans whose Social Security numbers fall into the wrong hands.

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