Why do I need to know about identity theft?

Did you know that identity theft among foster youth is common?  Foster youth make prime targets for identity theft because each time a youth changes schools or placements, his/her personal information gets passed through dozens of hands. Furthermore, most foster youth might not know they have been victimized until after they transition from foster care and try to establish credit on their own.  By that time, the victim might have built up a tremendous amount of debt.