Joyce’s remarks came a month after Equifax hackers gained access to the Social Security numbers and birth dates of more than 145 million Americans.
He said the Social Security number has “outlived its usefulness,” according to the Hill newspaper. “It’s a flawed system that we can’t roll back after a breach.” Another problem, he said, is that once a number is stolen, the victim of identity theft can’t get it changed.
Joyce said the system is weak and his own Social Security number had been compromised at least four times, the Journal reports. He has asked federal agencies and departments to submit some ideas for replacements.
Also this week, former Equifax CEO Richard Smith said at a congressional hearing that it’s time to find a more secure way to identify consumers than relying on a Social Security number, date of birth and a name.
Source: AARP Money
Social Security Numbers Could Be Replaced
