Rep. Steve Israel: Remove Social Security Numbers From Medicare Cards To Curb ID Theft

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Rep. Steve Israel wants the federal government to do more to help protect senior citizens from identity theft.

Israel is introducing a bill to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards. The numbers are currently printed on the cards.

"On the one hand the federal government says 'protect your Social Security number.' On the other hand, it advertises your Social Security number on 50 million Medicare cards in the United States," Israel said.

Listen to Rep. Steve Israel Wants Social Security Numbers Removed From Medicare Cards

Rudy Hudak, 84, calls the idea a no-brainer, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported. Hudak carries his card in his wallet.

"It's a wonderful idea," Hudak told Rivera. "I think it should've been done a long time ago."

Israel's office cited the Federal Trade Commission as saying as many as one in five seniors are hit by fraud.

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