DeWine offers help with credit checks

Staff report

Columbus

Attorney General Mike DeWine recently sent letters to the state’s public children-services agencies offering help in meeting a new federal mandate requiring youths at least 16 years old and within the foster system to have their credit checked. The mandate also requires the clearance of any errors found on their credit report.

“Providing these credit checks is one way we can smooth the transition from foster care to adulthood,” said Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Michael Colbert. “At ODJFS, we are committed to helping young people leaving foster care find work or attend college and become successful adults. Identifying and correcting errors on their credit reports will help, and I appreciate the Attorney General’s assistance.”

The federal law requires that foster youths age 16 to 18 receive an annual credit check. As those checks are conducted by county public children-services agencies, any errors found will be handled by the recently formed Identity Theft Unit within the Consumer Protection Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

After assisting the foster youths in checking their credit report, county public children-services agencies will then send the report to the attorney general’s Identity Theft Unit to resolve any issues. Any Ohioan who is a victim of identity theft should contact local law enforcement.