Identity Theft Attorney Los Angeles

Looking for an expert identity theft attorney in Los Angeles? The Federal Government prosecutes cases of identity theft by using several Federal laws. In 1988, Congress passed the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act (18 U.S.C. Sec 1028). This new law created a new federal offense of identity theft.  The law specifically prohibits the knowing transfer or use, without lawful authority, identifying information of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid another, any unlawful activity that is a violation of Federal law, or a felony pursuant to any State law.

In addition the above, the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act (18 U.S.C. Sec 1028A), set increased penalties for the crime of aggravated identity theft. The additional penalties apply to cases where identity theft has been used in the course of more serious crimes, such as healthcare fraud, terrorist acts, mail fraud, wire fraud, and firearm violations.   Thus, a defendant can be facing additional incarceration when the government alleges that the defendant used another’s identifying information in the course of committing a separate Federal criminal offense.

Other Federal statutes generally associated with identity theft crimes are (a) credit card fraud (18 U.S.C. Sec 1029); (b) computer fraud (18 U.S.C. Sec 1030); (c) mail fraud (18 U.S.C. Sec 1341); (d) wire fraud (18 U.S.C. Sec 1343), and (e) financial institution fraud (18 U.S.C. Sec 1344).