Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious federal crime according to the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998.
This amended 18 U.S.C. Section 1028. The main elements of the crime of ID Theft include the intent to obtain someone’s personal data without having this authority.

There is also a transfer of use of such personal information that is used to identify a person.
There is also aggravated identity theft that is defined under 18 U.S.C. Section 1028A.

Who Investigates Identity Theft?

There are state laws and federal laws in place for criminalizing ID Theft.
This means that the state will investigate instances when it takes place in a single state.
If ID Theft turns into a federal crime, there are a number of government agencies that have a duty to investigate ID Theft.

This includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Postal Inspection Service and Federal Trade Commission.
The agency that investigates identity theft will depend on the type of case.
If a person is charged with ID Theft, their case will be examined in the state or federal court system.

If they are found guilty, there are severe penalties in place.

What are the Penalties for Identity theft?

You can expect the penalties for identity theft to be in the form of a fine and prison sentence if you are an individual.
If you are found guilty of ID Theft, you can be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. This will depend on the severity of the individual case.

This penalty can also be combined with a fine. Organizations will only receive a fine. Each case will be examined on an individual basis to create a penalty that suits the crime.

Aggravated ID Theft

There can also be the case of aggravated identity theft under 18 U.S.C. Section 1028A.
This means that an offender can be sentenced to an additional term of two years imprisonment if they are found guilty or this can be five years in a terrorism case.

Disbarred lawyer sentenced to 5 years in prison for wire fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

Seattle – A former lawyer, who was disbarred following a 2003 fraudulent check scheme, and a federal fraud conviction, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to five years in prison and three years of supervised release for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
JOHN WILLIAM ALDERSON, 47, pleaded guilty in July 2019 following a three-year scheme to defraud a romantic partner and family members.
ALDERSON has a 2003 federal conviction for wire fraud and Social Security fraud, which resulted in a 41-month prison term.
At his sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones said, “You have not demonstrated any respect for the law. You do this over and over and over.”

New York Man Sentenced for Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

Bangor, Maine: A New York man was sentenced on Tuesday in federal court in Bangor for bank fraud, using other people’s Social Security numbers, and aggravated ID theft.

U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Mark Pignatello, 55, of Yonkers, New York, to 52 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Pignatello pled guilty on April 24, 2019. Pignatello was also ordered to pay $20,893 in restitution.