Identity Theft Lawyer Massachusetts + Charges, Laws & Convictions ...

About Identity Theft Charges, Laws & Convictions

As the rise of the internet and web-based financial transactions and business continue to become a more popular way to transact in our modern world, the occurrence of identity theft has also risen. The legal and regulatory agencies of the United States as well as the state governments, such as Massachusetts, have pursued additional protections that can be put into place for the consumers using these new systems to make purchases and pay bills.

The most common types of identity theft include fraudulent abuse of:

• credit cards

• phone/utilities

• banks

• employment-related

• government benefits

• loans

By presenting themselves as another person without the express authorization of that person, a person is engaging in identity theft. That includes offering that person?s personal identifying information as a means of obtaining money, credit, goods, services, or anything of value.

The ways that identity theft are committed can be one of three options.

• Shoulder surfing-watching victim from nearby and seeing or hearing personal data

• Dumpster diving-obtain personal data through papers discarded into garbage cans

• Internet spamming-sending unsolicited emails requesting identifying data

About Identity Theft Charges in Massachusetts

The charges for the identity theft in Massachusetts depends on the specific components of the case. Any theft involving more than $250 in value is considered a felony. That puts the charges under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice, who prosecutes all violations of federal law as well as felonies under state and local law. Any cases involving values under $250 would be sentenced within the state of Massachusetts court system.

Sentencing for Identity Theft Charges in Massachusetts

The sentencing for identity theft include the possibility of imprisonment of up to two and one half years in a house of correction and the possibility of fines that can be up to $5,000. Modern law has added the restitution element whereby the person convicted of identity theft must make restitution to the victim for any financial costs incurred by them as a result of the crime, including legal costs and fees.

Lesser charges of identity theft rely less on imprisonment and rely more on fines and restitution for any damage done.

Statistics for Identity Theft in Massachusetts

According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the number of victims of identity theft increases as more people conduct financial transactions online. They estimate that one of every 23 consumers was a victim of identity theft in the year 2012. As a nation, the Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 27 million consumers in the United States have endured some form of crime against their personal identifying information over the previous several years.

Conclusion

If currently looking at charges of identity theft, it is important to seek out professional legal assistance to come up with the strongest defense possible. It can make all the difference in presenting alternatives for reduced sentences or plea arrangements that reduce the impact that this crime can have on your life and your future. With the increased interest by governmental agencies at all levels, the crime of identity theft will continue to see more scrutiny as time goes on.

Sources

Source: http://geoffreygnathanlaw.com/identity-theft-lawyer-massachusetts/

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