Bill Overview
Title: Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act
Description: This bill requires the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. The single point of contact must track the individual's case to completion and coordinate with other specialized units to resolve case issues as quickly as possible.
Sponsors: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ]
Target Audience
Population: Victims of identity theft involving Social Security account numbers
Estimated Size: 9000000
- The bill focuses on victims of identity theft involving Social Security account numbers.
- Approximately 9 million Americans have identities stolen each year according to various estimates.
- Not all identity theft cases involve Social Security number misuse, but it is a significant component of identity theft issues.
- Globally, identity theft affects millions, but this bill specifically targets those cases involving the Social Security Administration, impacting primarily U.S. residents who have a Social Security number.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy consists mainly of individuals who have suffered identity theft involving their Social Security numbers, which is a considerable yet specific segment of the population.
- Our interviews will include insights from people who have had experiences with identity theft, as well as others who might not be directly affected by the policy to account for different perspectives.
- Due to the budget constraints, not every victim of Social Security number misuse might receive benefits immediately, so the impact will vary based on the severity of each case and the level of assistance each person needs.
- We assume an average cost per case management could range significantly, which determines how many individuals can be effectively supported under the budget.
- Some of the interviewed individuals will not be directly affected by the policy to reflect its specific audience and implementation limits.
Simulated Interviews
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The process of dealing with identity theft was incredibly stressful and time-consuming.
- Having a single point of contact at Social Security would make a huge difference in peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Barista (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The current system is fragmented and getting assistance is a nightmare.
- If the process was smoother with just one person handling the case, it would greatly alleviate stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Identity theft isn't something I've personally experienced, but I imagine having a dedicated contact would help those affected.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Freelance Artist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 46 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've always worried about identity theft but felt little support was available for prevention or management.
- This policy might not directly affect me unless something happens, but it's reassuring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been through it, and having a single point of contact would likely have expedited my case.
- It's great for those currently struggling with similar issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Accountant (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy sounds very targeted. Even though my identity theft didn't involve Social Security, I know the hassle it can bring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Tech Start-up Co-Founder (Denver, CO)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A single point of contact could be a valuable resource.
- Right now, there's too much red tape and not enough guidance on next steps after a breach.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I caught my case early, a streamlined process could benefit others immensely and provide peace of mind to all.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Construction Worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This seems like a good measure to protect people in my sector where document security may not always be top priority.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Lobbyist (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Though I think this policy is beneficial, it addresses a very specific issue within a larger context of identity theft.
- It could help catalyze further improvements in consumer protection.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 2: $120000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $150000000)
Year 3: $115000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $140000000)
Year 5: $105000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $130000000)
Year 10: $100000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $125000000)
Year 100: $90000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $110000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness and efficiency of the SSA's new contact and coordination system are central to controlling costs.
- The extent to which the SSA collaborates with other federal agencies and private sector entities could influence service efficiency and cost.
- The scale of identity theft cases specifically involving SSN misuse will affect long-term operating costs.