Md. First To Protect Kids From ID Theft

WASHINGTON - Children in Maryland are better protected from identity theft after Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a bill Wednesday giving parents a preventative way to protect their kids' credit.

The Maryland Child Identity Lock bill allows parents and legal guardians to place a preemptive freeze on their child's credit report starting in January 2013. The freeze prevents thieves from applying for credit in a child's name. Previously, credit freezes were only available to people who have a credit history.

Maryland is the first state to respond to recent reports that children are fast becoming the favorite target of identity thieves. Identity theft among the five-year-old and younger age group increased by 105 percent since 2011, according to an AllClear ID report.

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