Here is reporter Jackie Majerus' story about state Rep. Frank Nicastro's push for legislation making it easier for residents to keep their Social Security numbers private:
A plan to protect the privacy of citizens' Social Security numbers is getting powerful backing from House Speaker James Amann.
People are considered now “more so than ever” about identity theft, said Amann, a Milford Democrat, and are reluctant to surrender their Social Security numbers without just cause.
State Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat, wants to see Connecticut pass legislation to safeguard the rights of people who don’t want to give out their Social Security numbers.
“I’m going to raise it in a committee,” said Nicastro, who serves on the General Law Committee. The lawmakers go back into regular session next month.
“Certainly the concept has a lot of merit,” said Amann. “I think it’s worth exploring.”
When some elderly Bristol Housing Authority residents lost out on a free Thanksgiving turkey last year because they refused to provide Foodshare with their Social Security numbers, Nicastro’s resolve deepened.
Nicastro said it was “crazy” that the seniors who were careful with their numbers missed out on a turkey. If identity verification was the goal, Nicastro said, there are other ways to do it.
Amann praised Nicastro as a “bulldog,” and said he hopes the Bristol lawmaker will work hard on the Social Security number protection law.
“It’s something that we should take notice of,” said Amann, and “a good idea to debate.”
The legislation is aimed at protecting consumers, much like state Sen. Tom Colapietro’s wildly popular “no call” list. Passed several years ago, the law safeguards telephone customers from telemarketers.
This measure to protect citizens who want to keep their Social Security number private may not be much different.
“I really believe it’s one of those issues that could have a life of its own,” said Amann.
While people may feel secure about a corporation or retailer, Amann said, they can’t always be sure about everyone working for that corporation.
“We don’t know who we’re giving those Social Security numbers to,” Amann said. He said it is an issue that Americans should consider nationally.
Both individuals and corporations can be victims of identity theft, Amann said.
“That’s part of the American problem right now with security,” Amann said.
Amann said he’s not sure if under the Constitution lawmakers can prevent anyone from asking for a Social Security number.
Nicastro agreed, but said the law could prohibit retailers or service providers from penalizing those who choose to keep the number private.
The Social Security Administration advises that citizens treat their Social Security number as “confidential information.” If asked for the number, the agency says, people should ask why it is needed, how it will be used, what happens if they refuse and what law requires them to give it.
Nicastro said he’s already begun discussing his idea for protective legislation with other lawmakers and found them supportive.
“It’s out of control,” said Nicastro. “We’ve gotta stop it.”
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
8 comments:
Great Idea ...... Now instead of New Haven being alone as the sanctuary city , Connecticut can become known as the sanctuary State .
The final results will be the same as if de stafano had won the election for governor . Democrats always seem to find a way to get what they want .
It's not as big a deal as Frank is making is sound. State legislation can't give residents the right to withhold their FEDERAL social security number from legitimate situations.
I agree that the turkey tracking (Foodshare) could have been done differently, but what other place would Frank's idea protect residents from having to give out their SS#?
Aha!
Maybe now Frank can (and will) say that HE got some legislation passed.
Where is his Republican opposition?
Where else? Any department store, video rental place, etc. etc. You probably routinely hand out your number and don't even think about it.
Only your employer or bank or some other place that pays you an income is entitled to your number.
What Nicastro is trying to do is stop the retailers and outfits like Foodshare from punishing people who want to keep their number private.
There's a lot of mischief that can be done with someone's number, and wise folks don't give it out.
Every time you go to a doctor, dentist, lab, health club, or even apply for a job, the forms ask for your social security number. The number is then put into a database, as well as hard copies of the forms stored in a file in a file cabinet. I wonder how many of those files are kept secure at all times. File drawers are opened every morning and kept open all day. Any employee has access to those numbers. How can we guarantee the honesty of those employees not to steal or sell those numbers to others? How do we know if old records are thrown away in the trash or properly shredded? People are warned over and over again not to give their social security numbers out over the phone. Why should we be forced to give them out to doctors, dentists, potential employers, health clubs, etc.? Those in the medical field already have our names, addresses, phone numbers and dates of birth - not to mention credit card numbers when payment is made. A social security number is the icing on the cake for someone who is trying to steal identities. I see absolutely no reason why we can't just provide the last four digits of our SSN on forms. That, coupled with the name, address & DOB provided is more than enough information to verify a person's identity. I salute Mr. Nicastro in his endeavor to protect all of us from identity theft. This matter deserves the support of all citizens!
I think that if this could have been done correctly someone would have proposed it by now.
I seriously doubt Frank is the first person in the legislature to come up with this idea. It just can't be done without a lot of problems.
This isn't just about old people. Everyone has, or should have, a Social Security number. And we should all be careful with our numbers. I think this is a great idea.
Wouldn't this create a situation that makes it even easier for the criminals in this country illegally to blend in w/ Americans ??
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