WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), author of H.R. 948, the Social Security Number Protection Act, and co-Chairman of the Bi-Partisan Congressional Privacy Caucus, today issued the following statement in response to a poll conducted by Consumers Union indicating an overwhelming number of Americans favor strong restrictions on the uses of Social Security numbers, which have been increasingly used by identity thieves.

“The results of Consumers Union’s new poll clearly indicate that Americans have strong concerns about the misuse of their Social Security numbers. The proliferation of Social Security numbers for purposes well beyond their initial intent has increasingly placed Americans at risk of identity theft and other crimes,” Rep. Markey said.

“Earlier this year, I introduced the Social Security Number Protection Act to restrict the purchase and sale of Social Security Numbers and establish safeguards to reduce the likelihood that Social Security Numbers will end up in the hands of fraudsters and identity thieves. Now that the legislation has been considered by the Energy and Commerce Committee, it is essential that we move forward promptly to provide the privacy safeguards that Americans urgently need.

“Like the combination to a bank vault, Social Security Numbers are a pass-code to Americans' personal information. Without adequate protections, criminals will continue to use them to access our financial, medical, credit and other personal data,” concluded Rep. Markey.