Death List Limits to Curb Tax Fraud by Identity Thieves
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The U.S. government is poised to limit public access to death records that have been used for years by identity thieves to commit tax fraud.
A provision in the budget measure passed 64-36 by the U.S. Senate today would limit access to information in the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File to certified entities, such as life insurers and pension funds that use the data to combat fraud and administer benefits. The limits would apply for three years after an individual’s death.