Identity theft has become a major issue for foster children, which is why lawmakers in Colorado are pushing to protect them. As a part of a, already challenging system with enough hardship to contend with as it is, the Senate wants to make sure these children don’t also have to deal with poor credit as they enter adulthood.
A surprising number of foster children become victims of identity theft before they leave the system. In fact, according to a recent report from KDVR in Denver, Colo., nearly half of all kids who leave foster care find at some point that they’ve been robbed of their identity.
Even worse, the identity theft is usually committed by foster parents, or even birth parents who have given the children up, because they have access to their vital records, including Social Security cards and birth certificates.
Thieves have been caught applying for loans, racking up debt and even acquiring credit cards in the kids’ names. It’s for this reason that lawmakers in Colorado are stepping up and protecting the kids.
Senate Bill 120 has been proposed as a way to ensure foster youth will have a clean credit history upon leaving the system.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Linda Newell (D-Littleton), told KDVR she hopes it will make a real difference in protecting foster children: “To me, it’s about protecting the most vulnerable kids, who, because of no fault of their own, end up in a place where they think they’re going to be safe, and then end up having their identity stolen.”
Her desire is to have the children come out of the system with a chance at being independent, taxpaying and productive, something they will have a lesser chance of doing if their credit is poor.
Many believe the bill has a good chance of being signed into law. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed the bill with a unanimous 9-0 vote. It is now is on its way to the full Senate for a vote that is expected to pass.
Similar Posts:
- Credit Card Skimmers Could Break Your Bank
- UPDATE: Arkansas Senate Advances Redistricting Proposal
- Republicans delay vote on Boehner debt bill
- Your Money This Week: Hackers and Low Stock Values Overshadow Free Doughnuts
- Senate debates insider trading ban for Congress
Recent Comments