House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

Posted:	January 30, 2013 11:34 AM
From:	Representative Matthew E. Baker
To:	All House members
Subject:	Amending Credit Reporting Agency Act – Protecting Children from Identity Theft

I am introducing legislation to allow parents to protect their children from identity theft. According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity thieves often steal a child’s information from schools, businesses and government agencies. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, in 2010, 8.6 million households in the United States had at least one member 12 years of age or older who had been victimized by identity theft. Further, according the Department of Justice, in 2010, households in the United States experienced approximately $13 billion in direct financial loss as a result of identity theft. Consequently, I am introducing legislation which amends the Commonwealth’s Credit Reporting Act to allow a parent to place a security freeze on the credit report of a child. Currently, an adult can request that a consumer reporting agency place a security freeze on his own credit report. My bill will allow a parent to make such a request on behalf of a child, as well as himself. I have attached a copy of the legislation for you to review.
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Introduced as HB713