New law aims to resolve ID theft among foster children

Children more at risk of ID theft than adults, study says

Published: Monday, Oct. 10 2011 11:16 p.m. MDT

Summary

Jode Littlepage has spent years digging out of the mess foster parents in California had made of her credit.

"Too often, this access is abused for everything from opening credit cards to fraudulently providing identification for criminal matters. Many foster youth do not learn that their identities have been stolen and their credit destroyed until they have exited care and apply for credit," the report said.

The 2011 report, "The Fleecing of Foster Children: How We Confiscate their Assets and Undermine Their Financial Security," says identity theft can have devastating consequences.

"Former foster youth may face problems finding safe and adequate housing; they may be denied loans for cars and other larger necessities, and they may be denied financial aid and the opportunity to attend college, all as a result of identity theft that occurred while they were in foster care."

Contributing: Associated Press

E-mail: marjorie@desnews.com

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SLars

Provo, UT

We have a law that goes after foster families that steal a child's ID, yet we don't prosecute or go after those who have their id's stolen by illegal aliens?

What's wrong with this country?

2:15 a.m. Oct. 11, 2011
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AmPatriot

Taylorsville, UT

Better yet to protect children and all americans from this ID theft, is stop issuing SSN to non working children. The SSA law says it is illegal to use the SSN for identification but there is no enforcement of that law and people are forced to More..

7:39 a.m. Oct. 11, 2011
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DeltaFoxtrot

West Valley, UT

Identity theft is the #1 crime in this nation, it's costing billions every year but nobody wants to bother actually trying to stop it because the banks make too much money off of it.

12:28 p.m. Oct. 11, 2011
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