Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act of 2002
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 707.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Oct 10, 2002
Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act of 2002 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the display, sale, or purchase of social security numbers without the affirmatively expressed consent of the individual, except in specified circumstances. Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on all the uses of social security numbers permitted, required, authorized, or excepted under any Federal law.Establishes a public records exception to the prohibition. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on social security numbers in public records. Grants the Attorney General rulemaking authority.Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to prohibit: (1) the use of social security numbers on checks issued for payment by governmental agencies; (2) the appearance of such numbers on driver's licenses or motor vehicle registration; and (3) inmate access to social security account numbers.Prohibits a commercial entity from requiring an individual to provide a social security number when purchasing a commercial good or service or denying an individual the good or service for refusing to provide that number, with exceptions. Establishes civil and criminal penalties.Extends civil monetary penalties for misuse of a social security number.Provides for: (1) criminal penalties under SSA title II for the misuse of a social security number; and (2) civil actions and civil penalties.Prohibits any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or limited liability company that accepts credit cards for the transaction of business from printing electronically more than the last five digits of the credit card account number or the expiration date upon any receipt provided to the cardholder.
Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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