A common type of fraud in the digital age is identity theft. Given some high-profile identity theft cases, the federal government has cracked down on the crime and passed several laws addressing the crime. If you have been accused of identity theft, you should be aware that you face very serious penalties including lengthy prison time. An experienced New Jersey federal criminal defense attorney can help review the circumstances of your case and shape your defense.
Identity theft may be committed through a variety of ways. Some common types of identity theft include:
There are many other types of identity theft, and you should contact an experienced attorney to learn more about your case.
The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act is an oft-cited federal law that prosecutors use to fight identity theft. This act makes it a crime to intentionally use someone else’s identifying information without the permission of that person. Someone convicted of a crime under this act can face felony charges and monetary fines.
In addition, under the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act, whoever knowingly engages in a felony identity theft offense faces a mandatory two-year imprisonment. The two-year prison sentence must be served consecutively to any other penalties, meaning that the two years may not be served concurrently with the prison sentence for a related offense.
If you have been accused of identity theft, you should contact an experienced attorney. The penalties for identity theft are very severe. An attorney can help explain your options and defenses. To learn more about your case, contact attorney Tim Anderson at 732-212-2812.