“I am pleased that the Federal Trade Commission continues to evaluate current legitimate uses of Social Security Numbers and explore ways to reduce dependence on these numbers, which can be more valuable than gold in the hands of identity thieves,” said Rep. Markey.

“I commend the FTC for its ongoing efforts to inform the public about the need to closely guard their Social Security Numbers, and I look forward to passage in Congress of bi-partisan legislation to tighten controls over Social Security Numbers so that consumers can receive the protection they urgently need from misuse of these numbers.”

Rep. Markey’s legislation, H.R. 948 would give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rulemaking authority to restrict the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers, determine appropriate exemptions, and to enforce civil compliance with the bill’s restrictions. The bill, which has been approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, establishes privacy safeguards while also permitting limited exceptions to the purchase and sale of Social Security Numbers for purposes of law enforcement, in emergency situations to protect the health or safety of an individual and for similar commonsense situations.

More information about the FTC workshop is available here:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/workshops/ssn/index.shtml

FTC identity theft report issued last week is available here:
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2007/11/idtheft.shtm