On December 10 and 11, 2007, the Federal Trade Commission will host a public workshop, "Security in Numbers: SSNs and ID Theft," to explore the uses of Social Security numbers in the private sector and the role of SSNs in identity theft.  This workshop continues the work of the President's Identity Theft Task Force, and, in particular, its recommendation to explore ways to reduce unnecessary uses of the SSN.  The workshop will provide a forum for public-sector, private-sector, and consumer representatives to discuss the various uses of SSNs by the private sector, the necessity of those uses, alternatives available, the challenges faced by the private sector in moving away from using SSNs, and how SSNs are obtained and used by identity thieves.  The workshop will be free and open to the public.

This workshop is free and open to the public, but space will be limited.  Pre-registration is not necessary to attend but is encouraged so that we may better plan this event.  Those pre-registering should send their name and affiliation to SSNpreregister@ftc.gov.  Please note that pre-registration will not guarantee a seat at the event; seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.  The FTC will use pre-registration information to estimate how many people will attend and better understand the likely audience for the workshop.