U.S. – Bill Would Let Parents Replace Compromised Social Security Numbers for Kids Under 14

Washington, D.C. — A new House bill aims to make it easier for parents to protect young children from identity theft when Social Security cards are lost or stolen in the mail. The proposal would require the Social Security Administration to issue a new number to eligible children instead of leaving families to manage a potentially compromised identity for years.  

The Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 5348), introduced by Rep. Lloyd Smucker with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis as a co-sponsor, was reported out of committee and sent to the full House for consideration. The bill covers children under 14 whose Social Security cards are mailed after birth or immigration and are believed to have been lost or stolen during delivery.  

Under the measure, a parent or guardian could submit evidence under penalty of perjury that the card was lost or taken in transit. If the Social Security Administration agrees that confidentiality was compromised, the agency would assign a new number and note the loss or theft in the child’s record.  

For families, the change could reduce the risk that a child’s number is used to open fraudulent accounts or create credit problems that only surface years later. Parents are still encouraged to store Social Security cards in a secure place, avoid carrying them in wallets, and monitor for unexpected financial mail in a child’s name.

If passed, the law would take effect 180 days after enactment. The bill now awaits debate and a vote in the U.S. House before moving to the Senate and potentially the president’s desk.  

This article was produced by a journalist with the assistance of AI. This is not legal advice. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.