Your identity and everything associated with it is something that you own, but it may not be tangible. Therefore, those wishing to steal the assets that are associated with your identity, or use your identity for their own personal gain, can do so by simply obtaining certain information about you.
This can be done through the stealing of credit cards, passports or even intercepting mail in order to obtain your bank details. It is becoming increasingly common for people to become victims of identity fraud over the internet, with many fraudsters tricking people into giving away their personal information.
What are the laws when it comes to identity theft?
It is a crime in the vast majority of states in this country to engage in the misuse of another person’s information. This means that even if a person obtained these details legally, for example, while working in a white-collar job, the individual cannot then use them for inappropriate reasons. These laws protect both personal and financial information.
Identity theft is a federal crime when it is done intentionally. The crime is a serious one, and can be punished with up to five years imprisonment if it is considered an aggravated offense.
The challenges of legal prosecution for those guilty of identity theft
There are several roadblocks when it comes to charging a person with identity theft. The first is the fact the many people do not know that their information has been stolen until a significant amount of time has passed. This is generally known as clueless identity theft, and it means that significant damage can be carried out in small ways over a long period of time. It can also mean that it can be very difficult to trace back to the point where the victim’s personal information was stolen.
However, once the person who has stolen personal details has been traced, the courts are able to easily charge the individual when the authorities have significant proof that he or she carried out the crime.
If you have been a victim of identity theft in the state of Minnesota, it is important that you take action so that the persecutor can be traced, and you can get the justice you deserve.