New ID Theft Law To Take Effect

A Maryland law enabling parents to better protect their children from identity theft is among several taking effect next week.

The child identity theft law, which is the first of its kind in the nation, will allow parents to freeze their child's credit any time. Credit agencies have been required to place a security freeze on the credit of anyone who requests it. But they have been able to refuse to lock the credit of those who do not have a pre-existing credit report. That has presented problems for children, because if they have a credit report they likely already are a victim of fraud.

Delegate Craig Zucker, a Montgomery County Democrat who sponsored the bill this year, noted that it also will benefit elderly and developmentally disabled residents who could become victims of identity theft.
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