What Is Being Done About Criminal Identity Theft?

Identity theft is a federal crime under the ID Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, of 1998.

It is considered a crime when someone knowingly and unlawfully transfers or uses another person's means of identification, such as his/her name, social security number, or any bank or credit account number with the intent to commit, aid or abet, any unlawful activity or felony.

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing federal crimes in the United States. The FBI estimates state that some 500,000 to 700,000 Americans become victims of criminal identity theft every year.

Under the Act, a name, a social security number, a credit card number, a cellular telephone electronic serial number etc are considered means of identification, and so is any other information that, whether alone or with other information, can be used to identify a specific individual.

Due to a huge upsurge in recent times in crimes related to or stemming from identity theft, most states, as well as the federal law enforcement agencies are taking steps to tighten the laws and better facilitate the identification of criminals.

In most cases, a conviction for criminal identity theft will carry a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 15 years and a fine, with the forfeiture of any personal property used to commit the crime.

Schemes or plans to commit ID Theft or ID fraud often also involve violations of many other statutes and may involve mail fraud, credit card fraud, computer fraud, wire fraud, social security fraud, or financial institution fraud.

Each of these offenses is a felony under federal law, and they all carry substantial penalties, which are as high as 30 years imprisonment, fines and forfeiture.

In addition, there are a number of other laws that have been passed at the state and federal level that are designed to help in reducing or preventing criminal identity theft and to provide assistance to the victims of ID theft and ID fraud.

Most states have now passed specific laws related to ID Theft. In the few states where specific ID Theft laws don't exist, the practices are prohibited and prosecuted under various other laws.

If you suspect that you are the victim of criminal identity theft, or fraud, get in touch with your State Attorney General's office or the local consumer protection agency. They are authorized to tell you what specific laws exist in your state related to ID Theft, and can help you deal with it.

Criminal identity theft and ID fraud are in violation of The ID Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act. They are investigated, in most cases by the various federal law enforcement agencies.

These agencies include the FBI, the US Secret Service, the Office of the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration, and the US Postal Inspection Service. Federal cases related to ID theft and ID fraud are all prosecuted by the Department of Justice of the United States.

If you know or suspect that your personal information has been lost or stolen, and if you suspect that it is being used, or may in the future be used for fraud, remember that you can minimize the potential danger and financial and other losses to yourself if you act quickly to close down all accounts and place a fraud alert on your credit bureau.

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