# 2024-31357: DHS Finally Realizes Mailing SSNs Everywhere Might Be Bad

2024-31357, Privacy Act of 1974; Implementation, is a Federal Register proposed rule from an unnamed agency published 2025-01-13, effective Comments must be received by February 12, 2025. (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-31357
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2024-31357
- Title: Privacy Act of 1974; Implementation
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: unknown
- Citation: unknown
- Published: 2025-01-13
- Effective: Comments must be received by February 12, 2025.
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

DHS Finally Realizes Mailing SSNs Everywhere Might Be Bad

## Summary

The Department of Homeland Security wants to update its rules to better protect your Social Security number, only sharing it on mail when truly needed and making sure it’s hidden when possible. These changes affect U.S. citizens and legal residents, aiming to stop fraud and keep your info safer. You’ve got until February 12, 2025, to share your thoughts before the new rules take shape.

## Abstract

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) is proposing to amend its regulations under the Privacy Act of 1974 consistent with the Social Security Number Fraud Prevention Act of 2017. In addition, DHS is proposing to amend the rules regarding including a Social Security number on physical mail only when necessary to further define "necessary" and provide instructions on redaction of social security numbers when feasible.

## Effects PRIA read

- Full SSNs Banned on DHS Mail: benefit, low. DHS generally will not include a person’s full Social Security number (SSN) on any physical mail. The Secretary (or a designee) may allow full SSNs only when inclusion is "necessary," meaning it is required for a DHS component to comply, in whole or in part, with a legal, regulatory, or policy requ…
- Redact SSNs to Last Four Digits: benefit, low. Where feasible, DHS components should partially redact Social Security numbers on mailed documents by including no more than the last four digits of the SSN. Components are instructed to prioritize technical methods to redact SSNs in printed mail.
- No SSNs Visible on Mail Exterior: benefit, low. DHS components must ensure that no part of any Social Security number is visible from the outside of any package or envelope sent by physical mail. This applies in all cases for DHS mailed materials.

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## Sources
- [2024-31357 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/13/2024-31357/privacy-act-of-1974-implementation)
- [2024-31357 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-01-13/pdf/2024-31357.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2024-31331, Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Electronic Export Manifest for Rail Cargo](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-31331)
- [Next: 2024-31405, Receipt of a Pesticide Petition Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-31405)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-31357 (as of 2026-06-11).