By Dominic Genetti
Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Ill.
(TNS)
Sep. 21—Victims of identity theft involving their Social Security numbers will have a more streamlined process if President Donald Trump signs a bill into law.
U.S. House Resolution 5345 would give individuals who discover their Social Security number has been misused or lost in the mail a direct point of contact at the Social Security Administration. The bill has been titled the Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act.
Misuse could include a variety of incidents, including filing a benefit claim using someone else’s Social Security number, using someone else’s Social Security number to fraudulently obtain that person’s retirement benefits and failing to report a deceased relative’s death to continue receiving Social Security payments.
Republican U.S. Rep. David Kustoff of Tennessee first introduced the bill in the House on Sept. 15, 2025. In December 2025, the House passed the measure after it was approved by the House Committee on Ways and Means. It then moved to the Senate.
“Victims of identity theft shouldn’t have to fight their way through government bureaucracy just to get their identity restored,” Kustoff said in a statement after the measure passed the House. “The Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act is a commonsense bill that will improve government efficiency and ensure victims get access to timely relief.”
Republican U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York co-sponsored the bill, which also had the support of House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo.
“Instead of adding more red tape, callbacks, and confusion, our government should make it easier to help victims of identity theft. The Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act ensures families have a single point of contact at the SSA when their Social Security number is compromised,” Smith added in his own statement last December.
The Senate passed the bill Thursday, Sept. 17.
The bill now awaits enrollment, the process of preparing the official final copy before it is sent to the president.
Once the president receives the bill, he has several options:
- Sign it into law.
- Veto it and return it to the House with a message explaining his objections. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
- Take no action. If Congress remains in session, the bill generally becomes law after 10 days, excluding Sundays.
- Pocket veto it. If Congress adjourns during the 10-day period, the bill does not become law.
Photo credit: mehaniq/Freepik
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© 2026 the Jacksonville Journal-Courier (Jacksonville, Ill.). Visit www.myjournalcourier.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.
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