Have you been accused of stealing someone’s identity
Identity theft is on the rise across the nation and has been especially identified as a serious danger to innocent victims throughout Las Vegas and the rest of the country. Federal lawmakers have responded aggressively, providing for heavy penalties for those who are convicted.
Identity theft charges are prosecuted in federal court under the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998. Convictions carry up to a 25-year prison sentence and defendants can be ordered to pay restitution at 3 times the amount of actual damages. Beyond that, there are often additional charges such as mail or wire fraud, which is why strong representation is crucial.
Las Vegas Identity Theft Lawyers: Protecting Your Rights
If you are facing identity theft charges, it is critical that you work with a Las Vegas federal crime lawyers to help you. You need someone who is experienced, skilled, and trustworthy. Okabe & Haushalter boasts years of experience and successes in protecting the rights of persons charged with identity theft. When you are charged with a high-profile crime such as identity theft, you will need a firm with experience and with a track record of innovation and success to represent you.
At our Las Vegas firm, we have successfully defended our clients at both the trial and appellate levels. When you are facing serious identity theft charges, our firm can protect your rights and fight to give you every possible advantage. Our firm will not only aggressively defend you; we utilize a team approach, along with the latest technologies to investigate your case, and present the strongest possible defense. We do everything possible to protect our clients’ rights.
Do not hesitate to contact an identity theft attorney for a free review of your case!
What personal information can be stolen
Identity theft is committed when an individual or a group uses another person’s Social Security number, their bank account number, credit card number, or other identifying information in an attempt to commit fraud. For example, an individual can be accused of identity theft after using another person’s credit card information to purchase plane tickets. Individuals can also be accused of committing other crimes under the guise of someone else’s identity. Someone accused of identity theft may also be accused of causing noneconomic damages such as the damage to someone’s reputation. Identity theft has only been a federal offense since 1998.
Types of Identity Fraud
According to 18 United States Code § 1028, the penalty for identity theft is 15 years maximum imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of personal property used to commit the offense.
Listed below are some of the most common types of identity theft and fraud:
- Dumpster Diving: This type of identity fraud takes place when people go through waste bins in order to find documents with important information (ex: bank statements).
- Shoulder Surfing: Some individuals are accused of identity theft after snooping or spying on others while they are transmitting their personal information. This might include peering over someone’s shoulder as they input a PIN number or listening to a private call.
- Mail Fraud: This might involve impersonating a bank or other legitimate business to get a mail recipient to mail back personal information. Another type of mail fraud involves intercepting mail with enclosed pre-approved credit cards in an attempt to activate a card.
- Spam Emails: While many people have spam filters on their email inboxes, many people can receive emails asking for personal information. These emails are unsolicited. The internet is becoming an increasingly more popular method for committing crimes.
- Computer Hacking: Hackers can make their way into private networks and systems in order to uncover private information. Personal and business systems can be hacked into.
Contact Okabe & Haushalter
Anyone can report fraud, which is why there is the possibility of false accusations. If you have been accused, then you are going to need a strong defense to combat your charges. Secure the representation of a Las Vegas federal crime lawyer from Okabe & Haushalter. Our firm is no stranger to large, complex cases; we have even been involved in high profile cases such as the O.J. Simpson trial. You can trust our experience in the field to fight effectively for you.