skip to main contentskip to popular page linksskip to main navigation links
photo of Mike Capuano Michael E. Capuano representing the 7th district of Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives Go to the House of Representatives homepage
Like Mike on Facebook Visit Mike's video channel on YouTube Like Mike on Facebook

 

 My Schedule My Voting Record District Maps Register To Vote FAQ Site Map e-Updates

Congressman Capuano's
E-UPDATE
An update from the office of U.S. Representative Michael E. Capuano
7th Congressional District of Massachusetts


12,456 subscribers

February 1, 2013

Social Security Numbers

I am filing legislation to prohibit the Social Security numbers of deceased individuals from being made publicly available through the Federal government’s Death Master File (DMF). The Social Security Administration publishes the DMF, which includes the full name, social security number, date of birth, county, state, and zip code of deceased individuals. It is updated regularly. For fees as small as $10, anyone can access the database. In a 2011 report to Congress, the IRS Taxpayer Advocate pointed out that easy access to the DMF is a major contributor to recent increases in tax related identity theft.

There is really no reason why the Social Security number of someone who has passed away should be available to anyone for a few dollars. The IRS has identified this as a problem and Congress should act quickly to close this loophole.

The DMF is maintained and made publicly available for several reasons. Government agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Studies use it to determine if they should stop paying out benefits. Medical researchers use it to track deaths and the spread of disease. Life insurance companies use it to help detect fraud. My legislation would not prohibit administrators from maintaining the DMF. It would simply make the Social Security numbers of deceased individuals unavailable to the public. This is a commonsense step that would help reduce identity fraud, address a problem that the IRS has already identified and save money.

East Boston Groundbreaking

On Monday I participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Portside at Pier One, a residential waterfront development in East Boston’s Jeffries Point. Development initially began in 2006 but stalled when the economy faltered. I was happy to join local residents, Massport, development officials and other elected officials at the celebration marking progress on this delayed project. The East Boston waterfront is a true gem. This mix of residential and retail will further open the waterfront to the community and create numerous jobs.

Alzheimer’s Association

I met Tuesday with representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association. Many of us have friends or family who are living with Alzheimer’s or who care for loved ones suffering its heartbreaking decline. The Alzheimer’s Association offers support for patients and their families by providing information about the disease and directing them to the resources they need to better understand and cope with its effects. The Association also works to advance brain research and increase understanding of brain health. Association members wanted to update me on the work they are doing and to urge funding for research and essential services.

Artisan’s Asylum

This week I spent some time at the Artisan’s Asylum in Somerville. It is a non-profit craft studio offering classes and training. I was very impressed with the staff and the variety of crafts someone can learn. Instruction is available in welding, woodworking, lampworking, jewelry making and so much more. Local artists teach the classes. Those interested can learn a new hobby or develop a new skill that they can turn into a career. In addition to classroom instruction, artists have access to affordable studio and storage space as well as industrial equipment and other materials. This makes it more cost effective for artists to focus on their craft.

What’s Up Next

Next votes in the House are scheduled for Monday February 4th. A floor schedule is not yet available.

Mike


Congressman Mike Capuano
7th District, Massachusetts
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee on Financial Services

P.S. I welcome your feedback on our e-Updates. Please let me and my staff know what you think of this service by e-mailing our office.


District Offices:

110 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
and
Roxbury Community College, Campus Library, Room 211

District Office Phone:

(617) 621-6208

DC Office:

1414 Longworth Building, Washington, DC 20515

DC Office Phone:

(202) 225-5111

Website and e-mail:

capuano.house.gov

You have received this e-mail because you subscribed to Rep. Capuano's E-Mail Updates authorizing Rep. Capuano to send your inbox periodic e-mail updates from his Congressional office.

UNSUBSCRIBE: if you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, you may do so at this address: http://capuano.house.gov/e-updates/unsubscribe.shtml.

PRIVACY POLICY: Your e-mail address will not be shared with anyone else or sold in any way. To read the complete privacy policy, visit: http://capuano.house.gov/privacypolicy.shtml.

E-Updates are sent from an unattended mailbox. Please do not reply directly to this e-mail. Instead, if you wish to e-mail us, please go to http://capuano.house.gov/contact/.
 
NEWS & MULTIMEDIA

 

Privacy Policy

To protect your privacy, subscriptions to Rep. Capuano's E-Updates are subject to our Privacy Policy.

 

Bill Search

Search Congress.gov for legislative information.

Tip: enter bill numbers without spaces, i.e. "h.res.26" or "hres26"

 

Newspapers

 

News Services

Here are some informative online news services to help you find reports from Boston and the region, as well as national and international news stories.

 

Home | About | Biography | Contact | Issues | Links | News | Schedules | Services

E-Updates | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Accessibility

110 First Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
P: (617) 621-6208
F: (617) 621-8628
Hours

  Constituent Services Click to close menu
  Casework and Assistance
  Citizenship/Naturalization
  Immigration Casework
  Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance
  Presidential Greetings
  Flags
  Tours
  Washington, D.C. Attractions
  U.S. Service Academy Nominations
  Internships
  FAQs
  Media Center Click to close menu
  e-Updates
  Press Items
  Recent Votes
  Video and Audio
  Photos
  Legislative Work Click to close menu
  Issues
  Recent Votes
  Voting Record
  Sponsored Legislation
  Earmark Requests
  Committees and Caucuses
  Ethics Task Force
  Schedules Click to close menu
  My Schedule
  House Floor Summary
  Weekly House Schedule
  Annual House Calendar
  Weekly Senate Schedule
  Our District Click to close menu
  Maps
  Cities
  Demographics
  The 7th District Over the Years
  Nobel Prize Winners
  Interesting facts about Massachusetts
  Massachusetts Links
  Links Click to close menu
  Massachusetts Links
    State Government
    About the 7th District
    Arts, Culture and Attractions
    Chambers of Commerce
    Colleges and Universities
    Exploring Massachusetts
    Hospitals and Health Organizations
    Newspapers
    Sports

  Federal Government Links
    USA.gov - Official Government Portal
    Legislative Branch
    Executive Branch
    Judicial Branch
    Federal Agencies
    Kids' Pages
    Register to Vote
    Washington, D.C. Attractions
    Business Opportunities with the Government
  Contact Click to close menu
  District Office
  Washington, D.C. Office
  Office Hours Program
  Community Meetings
  E-mail Me