News

New law protects foster kids from identity theft

October 13, 2011

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Dee Saint Franc left the Rhode Island foster care system eager to start life on her own. But when she tried sign up for cable and Internet at Verizon, she learned that breaking free from her past wouldn't be easy.

A customer service representative told Saint Franc that someone had used her identity to rack up $3,000 worth of delinquent bills dating back to 1998.

"I was like, '$3,000? I just turned 18,'" recalled Saint Franc, now 21 and going to college in Providence. "It didn't make any sense. I was 8 years old in 1998."

By DAVID KLEPPER - Associated Press

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