ANSWERS: 1
  • Identity theft refers to a crime in which a person's personal or financial information is taken or used by a third party without that person's permission or knowledge. Federal and state governments have recently passed stricter rules and punishments for this crime.

    The 1998 Law Change

    In 1998, the U. S. Congress passed the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act. Under this law, identity theft became a federal crime carrying the following maximum punishments: a $250,000 fine and 15 years in prison.

    Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act

    In 2004, the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act became law. This law added aggravated identity theft as a punishable crime. This crime involves the use of stolen information for criminal purposes, including terrorist-related activity. Aggravated identity theft increases the sentence by two years.

    State Laws

    In most states, identity theft carries penalties. In California, for example, each identity theft count is considered a felony. The punishment is up to 3 years in prison and restitution.

    Victim Statements

    To get the longest sentence possible for an identity thief, victim statements can be prepared and given to the judge presiding over the case. The statement lets the judge know about the long-term consequences---both financial and personal---of the crime, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.

    FBI Success Rate

    In 2006, the FBI investigated more than 1,200 cases of identity theft. Over 450 of these cases later involved the indictment of an alleged culprit, and 90 percent of those cases resulted in a successful conviction of that culprit.

    Source:

    FDIC

    FTC.gov: Identity Theft

    US Dept of Justice

    More Information:

    Kraut Law Group

    Identity Theft Resource Center

    FBI

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