WHEREAS, the scourge of identity crime has precipitated widespread concern that unnecessary display of the Social Security Number (SSN) may expose the number holder to various forms of identity crime and related fraud; and

WHEREAS, in light of this concern, federal and state governments have become more proactive in combating identity theft. A recently enacted federal law prohibits the display of the SSN on a driver’s license, motor vehicle registration or personal identification card issued by a state or other jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, the Judicial Conference of the United States has issued a privacy policy for United States Bankruptcy Courts whereby an individual’s full SSN will be collected for the court, but only the last four digits will be displayed; and

WHEREAS, the Department of the Treasury has ceased placing the individual’s SSN on checks it issues. Federal legislation has been introduced that would restrict the display of the SSN in the public sector and its use both the public and private sectors. Also, forty-eight of the fifty states have enacted specific identity theft laws; and

WHEREAS, it would also seem that eliminating SSNs would not impair the effectiveness of advertisements or posters, or other written material related to missing persons. The SSN may still be available to appropriate law enforcement as necessary. At the same time, the absence of the SSN on these public displays may prevent yet further victimization of the subject; now, therefore, be it

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) calls upon all of law enforcement to cease using Social Security Numbers in advertising, posters and/or other written material related to missing persons that are made available to the general public; and be it

WHEREAS, that the IACP supports international efforts to ensure that that display of social security numbers is prohibited.