July 12, 2005

U.S. Allowing Some Fraud Victims To Get New SSNs

As companies roll out a growing variety of tools to combat identity theft, some Americans are taking a more radical step: changing their Social Security number. Traditionally, trading in an old number for a new one is something attempted in only the most extreme circumstances. Not only does the Social Security Administration demand heavy, documented proof of hardship -- but it also means that an individual must then track down every bank, utility, credit-card association and government agency that might have the old number on file, and persuade them to use the new one.

A Radical Tool To Fight ID Theft, Wall Street Journal, July 6, 2005.