In the state of Colorado, identity theft refers to any act that can be deemed as an attempt to represent yourself as another person in order to gain a benefit. Simply put, it is stealing the financial information of another with the intent of using this information to commit at least one crime.
Over the last two decades, there has been a rise in the number of identity theft cases partly due to the internet—where so much of our personal information is electronically stored or readily available online.
Types of Identity Theft
Common types of identity theft in Colorado include:
- Credit card theft
- Bank ID theft
- Social security ID theft
- Internet or computer ID theft
- Criminal impersonation
Some of the more common methods of ID theft are selling and purchasing the social security number of another, then using this number to gain services, employment, and purchasing power. ID theft also includes internet searches that access IP addresses of vulnerable computers to obtain personal identification information.
Consequences of Identity Theft
Identity theft involves allegations of deceitfulness, and may be classified as anything from a class 1 misdemeanor to a felony. A person facing charges for a class 5 felony may pay fines amounting to $100,000 and spend up to six years in jail. In most instances, however, identity theft is a class 4 felony punishable by substantial fines, imprisonment, and restitution.
It must be noted that convictions of identity theft are not eligible for sealing, and will therefore be available to government, law enforcement, and military agencies, as well as be available to the general public.
Contact Goldman Law, LLC Today
If you or someone you love has been charged with identity theft, our Colorado criminal defense attorneys at Goldman Law, LLC are here to help you.
At Goldman Law, LLC, we will advocate aggressively for your rights, minimize damage as best as we can, and immediately begin crafting a plan to position your case for the best resolution possible. We will do whatever we legally can to get your case dismissed and the charges against you dropped. If dismissal is not feasible, our legal team will strive to have your charges and sentences reduced.
Hiring a criminal defense attorney is the most important decision you can make for your criminal case. To learn more about your rights and receive a professional case evaluation, contact Goldman Law, LLC at (303) 656-9529.
