Social Security Numbers: OMB Actions Needed to Strengthen Federal Efforts to Limit Identity Theft Risks by Reducing Collection, Use, and Display

Abstract

The federal government uses SSNs as unique identifiers for many purposes, including employment, taxation, law enforcement, and benefits. However, SSNs are also key pieces of identifying information that potentially may be used to perpetrate identity theft. GAO was asked to review federal government efforts to reduce the collection and use of SSNs. This report examines (1) what government wide initiatives have been undertaken to assist agencies in eliminating their unnecessary use of SSNs and (2) the extent to which agencies have developed and executed plans to eliminate the unnecessary use and display of SSNs and have identified challenges associated with those efforts. To do so, GAO analyzed reports and guidance on protecting SSNs. GAO also analyzed SSN reduction plans and other documents, administered a questionnaire, and interviewed officials from the 24 CFO Act agencies.

Document Details

• Document Type: Technical Report
• Publication Date: Jul 01, 2017
• Accession Number: AD1176113

Entities

People

• Andrew Beggs
• David Plocher
• Gregory C. Wilshusen
• John De Ferrari
• Marisol Cruz
• Priscilla Smith
• Quintin Dorsey
• Shaunyce Wallace

Organizations

• United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Cyber
• Human Systems
• Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Application Software
• Business Administration
• Commerce
• Congress
• Department Of Defense
• Department Of State
• Department Of Veterans Affairs
• Electronic Mail
• Employment
• Governments
• Homeland Security
• Information Security
• Information Systems
• Law
• Management Personnel
• National Governments
• National Security
• Personnel Management
• Public Administration
• Social Media
• Task Forces
• United States Government

Readers

• Government and Public Administration Law.