Texas Comptroller Susan Combs to Lead University of Texas Identity Theft Task Force

A state official will lead a new task force at a Texas university.

The Center for Identity at the University of Texas at Austin launched a new Child Identity Protection Task Force last week, and Texas Comptroller Susan Combs will lead the group.

At the initial meeting, task force members set a framework to focus on prevention of child identity theft through educational outreach to parents and children.

The group will specifically focus on online activities, and plans to research solutions to identity and mitigate current and future risks to children’s identities.

“The financial problem of identity theft is compounded for children, because they usually don’t become aware they are victims until they are older and apply for a credit card or loan to buy a car,” said Combs.

“By that time, the damage to their credit can be extensive. The social harm of online impostors bullying or preying on our children is devastating, and the UT Child Identity Protection Task Force will work tirelessly to help children and parents guard against these crimes.”

Each organization represented on the task force, including the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, TransUnion, LexisNexis, and the internet safety group WiredSafety.org will provide an inventory of research and materials relating to child identity theft by May 9^th, 2012.