The predicted outcomes of youth who age out of foster care are grim – homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, unintended pregnancy, and low educational attainment. The high incidences of these social ills within this population are most often associated with a lack of stability and healthy, permanent relationships or not acquiring essential life skills before being thrown into life on their own. Identity theft and a poor credit rating are also contributing factors.
In general, minors are ideal targets for identity thieves. Their personal data is usually clean, legitimate, and less likely to be monitored for fraud. Youth in foster care are at greater risk for identity theft because of the multiple people and agencies who handle their personal information. The identity thief can be a family biological member, foster family member, school staff person, or even agency workers. Organized criminals even target foster group homes. Most youth are unaware that their identities have been stolen until they are ready to emancipate and start living on their own.
Identity theft ruins a young person’s credit which makes self-sufficiency difficult. A young person may end up homeless because no one will rent to them. They may be unable to get a student loan for college, car loan or credit card. A poor credit rating even affects whether they are hired for specific jobs or able to open bank accounts.
Because this is a growing problem and the effects can last for years, the “Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act” has a new section concerning foster youth identity theft. States are now required to run credit checks for older youth and help resolve identity theft issues before they age out of foster care. Proving fraud has occurred and clearing their name can be challenging. Better record management and education about the threat and ways to prevent identity theft are also essential to combating this crime. Please help raise awareness with your youth, workers, foster parents, and mentors.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, Chief Visionary Officer
The Teen Toolbox provides youth portfolio development and civic engagement and academic enrichment opportunities to help teens set goals for life after high school and create a road map to reach those goals through its PACKAGED FOR SUCCESS™ Programs.