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FCASPL 330 (Guidance for Public Children Services Agencies and Private Child Placing Agencies Regarding Credit Reports for Youth in Foster Care)
Family, Children and Adult Services Procedure Letter No. 330
September 17, 2018
TO: All Family, Children and Adult Services Manual Holders
FROM: Cynthia C. Dungey, Director
SUBJECT: Guidance for Public Children Services Agencies and Private Child Placing Agencies Regarding Credit Reports for Youth in Foster Care

The purpose of this procedure letter is to provide guidance to public children services agencies (PCSA) and private child placing agencies (PCPA) on obtaining annual credit reports and resolving inaccuracies for youth who have attained the age of fourteen and are in foster care per rule 5101:2-42-19 of the Administrative Code. In accordance with the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act and rule 5101:2-42-19 of the Administrative Code, the custodial agency is required to request a credit report for youth age fourteen or older annually from each of the three credit reporting agencies (CRA). This may be completed simultaneously or separately throughout the year in order to monitor any activity. Each CRA has a different procedure for requesting a minor’s credit report and the instructions for each CRA are outlined in this Procedure Letter.

Obtaining a Youth's Credit Report

The following information must be sent to each CRA to request the credit report:

  • A copy of the youth’s birth certificate or other legal documentation of the youth's full name and age.
  • Verification that the agency has the legal authority to request the credit report information.
  • Documentation that the youth is in foster care (e.g. a court order or other document).
  • Verification of the identity of the requester and that he/she has the right to request a credit report on behalf of a minor youth. This method shall be developed by the agency (e.g., a copy of the agency ID badge).
  • Address of the agency where the credit report is to be sent.
  • Other information to assist the CRA in their search of a credit report for the youth may include, but is not limited to: the youth's current address and any other addresses from the past two years, nicknames, and social security number.

Instructions for Contacting Each CRA

EQUIFAX CRA

Equifax CRA provides access to credit report histories through the Equifax e-Port system. Each agency is required to have a password protected profile with a primary contact person to obtain youth credit reports through e-Port.

To establish a profile, the agency director must send the name and e-mail address for the primary contact person (i.e., staff person who will be requesting youth credit reports) to Sonia Tillman, Differential Response and Special Projects Manager at Sonia.Tillman@jfs.ohio.gov.

 

EXPERIAN CRA

We have now established a new electronic process with Experian CRA. You now have the option of sending the requests via mail or electronically, as described below.

Send the required information manually by mail to:

Experian National Consumer Assistance Center

PO Box 9701

Allen, Texas 75013

Experian recommends using USPS Priority, UPS or FedEx for tracking. Sensitive information may be redacted from the court order as long as the identification of the minor remains intact. The CRA's response will be "No Record" or the credit report will be sent to the requestor (agency) through regular mail. For security purposes, the envelope will not indicate that it is from Experian. There is no charge for this process.

To sign up for Experian’s electronic data base send your inquiry to experianfosteryouth@experian.com and include the following information: agency name, county, contact name, address (e-mail and regular mail), phone number, and state. Experian will have the agency complete a membership application and sign an “Agreement for Credit Reports for Foster Youth.” Following the approval, Experian’s Membership department will set up an online account and contact the county’s designated contact for final installation and setup. There is no charge for this sign up or for this service.

 

TransUnion CRA

Agencies are able to obtain credit report histories from TransUnion CRA through the TransUnion Direct database. The agency is responsible for executing a no-cost agreement with TransUnion for access to the system.

Requests may be completed electronically individually or by multiples (batch) of no more than 50. Contact the individual listed below for more information on executing an agreement with TransUnion CRA:

Megan Moyer at fostercare@transunion.com or (714) 680-7268

RESOLVING CREDIT REPORT INCONSISTENCIES

A minor cannot enter into an agreement with a business, agency, or entity, and therefore should have no record with any credit bureau unless there is an error or the child is a victim of identity theft. If the credit report shows any irregularities or inconsistencies, the agency should contact the Ohio Attorney General's (AGO) office to request assistance in resolving the issue.

To make a referral to the AGO, the agency must send copies of all information related to the credit report including correspondence with the CRAs, a cover letter on agency letterhead, and the completed AGO ID Theft Affidavit (see attachment) including the youth’s signature attesting that to the best of his or her knowledge the accounts were not opened by him or her to:

Ohio Attorney General

Identity Theft Unit

30 E. Broad Street, 14th Floor

Columbus, OH 43215

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart depicts what materials should be deleted from the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM) and what materials should be inserted in the FCASM.

LOCATION

REMOVE AND FILE

AS OBSOLETE

 INSERT/REPLACE
Procedure Letters FCASPL No. 298 FCSAPL No. 330

Attachment: AGO ID Theft Affidavit