Feds Ignoring Own Advice on ID Theft

PlusFeds Ignoring Own Advice on ID TheftFeds Ignoring Own Advice on ID TheftThe Associated PressThe federal government says people should do everything possible to avoid flashing their Social Security number. Yet millions must carry the number, starting with Medicare recipients. (July 2)[Notes:STANDUP OPEN]ON CAM: When it comes to protecting that all-important identifier ... Your social security number ... The federal government's advice is clear. [Notes:NATS UP card being printed][Notes:03:00:25]WINSTON SOT: They should guard those numbers ... [Notes:VO graphic of generic number, US Capitol dome background, tax forms and checks printed]BUT THIS IS THE *SAME* GOVERNMENT THAT REVOLVES AROUND THIS NINE-DIGIT NUMBER, SLAPPING IT ON PIECES OF PAPER 52 MILLION AMERICANS CARRY IN THEIR WALLETS ... LIKE 44 MILLION MEDICARE CARDS ... 8 MILLION DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CARDS ... EASY PREY FOR PRYING EYES. THE GOVERNMENT *ADMITS* IT IS CONTRADICTING ITS OWN ADVICE ... BUT SAYS DON'T EXPECT *ANYTHING* TO CHANGE SOON. [Notes:SUPER: Joel Winston / Federal Trade Commission] [Notes:6:37]WINSTON SOT: It is very expensive to change over those systems and it is going to take time. [Notes:4:09:07]FRIZZERA SOT: We have estimated half a billion dollars just really for the Medicare systems ...SO WHAT IS A PERSON TO DO, WEARY OF CONTINUED ASSAULTS ON THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION? [Notes:VO screen snap of LifeLock site]THERE IS THIS COMPANY SELLING IDENTITY PROTECTION ... WITH THE C-E-O OFFERING HIS OWN SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, CONFIDENT HIS SYSTEM WORKS. [Notes:Standup Bridge] [Notes:SUPER: John Seigenthaler / The Associated Press / Washington]ON CAM: The government says memorize your social security number and leave the card at home. But 44 million people with medicare cards *need* to carry them ... [Notes:VO person getting exam]HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS INSIST ON IT FOR DOCTORS' VISITS AND EMERGENCIES ... OR DO THEY? [Notes:SUPER: Charlene Frizzera / Medicare Chief Operating Officer][Notes:7:12:06]FRIZZERA SOT: Our advice is don't carry it with you unless you know you're going to need it, If there is an emergency there are ways they could in fact provide you the care without your actual card.65-YEAR-OLD JIMMY ALLEN IS RETIRED ... AND WORRIED. [Notes:4:41:08]ALLEN SOT: Certain businesses you deal with they want to know your social security number, I don't deal with them ... I don't give that up. But I have to give that up medically and I think our government should do something about that. [Notes:VO shot of getting wallet, finding card]SO *THERE* IS HIS MEDICAID CARD, FAITHFULLY STUFFED INSIDE HIS WALLET.MEDICAID SAYS INDIVIDUALS HAVE NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF. [Notes:04:35:14]FRIZZERA SOT: We don't have any cases reported of a Social Security number being stolen because of a Medicare card theft. [Notes:NATS up newsreel footage] SINCE ITS BIRTH IN THE 1930S, SOCIAL SECURITY HAS PROMISED *PROTECTION* ... [Notes:21:39:07]ROOSEVELT SOT: We can never ensure 100 percent of the population against 100 percent of the hazards and vicissitudes of life ...NOW, IT IS THIS NUMBER THAT MAY BE A HAZARD ... POSSIBLY REPLACED BY SOMETHING NEW ... HELPING TO BETTER AUTHENTICATE SOMEONE'S IDENTITY. BUT ANY CHANGE IS YEARS AWAY. MEANING FOR NOW, EVERY AMERICAN'S IDENTITY STILL DEPENDS ... ON A STRING OF NINE DIGITS.For The Associated Press, I'm John Seigenthaler.