Miami Identity Theft Lawyer
Identity theft refers to the theft of another individual’s identity for one’s personal gain. Often, identity theft is committed with the intent of using the stolen identity to commit identity fraud, which is the use of another individual’s personal information to access funds, make purchases, or otherwise impersonate him or her for criminal purposes. Identity theft is often, but not always, committed through the use of fraud. Fraud is defined as theft by deception. If you are charged with identity theft, you can fight the charge to have it reduced or even dismissed. Contact our team of experience Miami identity theft lawyers to learn more about fighting an identity theft charge.
Examples of Identity Theft
Identity theft can be committed through many different actions. A few examples of ways identity theft can occur include:
- Stealing documents that contain personal information, such as a victim’s social security card, birth certificate, or driver’s license;
- Deceiving a victim into sharing personal information through a phishing scam;
- Providing stolen information to others. For example, a DMV employee sharing drivers’ personal information with another party without the drivers’ consent;
- Impersonating a child’s parent or guardian to gain access to the child’s personal information;
- Using data collected from customers, such as their credit card numbers or phone numbers, to then use for one’s own gain; and
- Using discarded documents that contain personal information, such as pre-approval letters from banks and creditors taken from a victim’s trash, to obtain personal information.
Identity Theft in Conjunction with Other Offenses
Identity theft is often committed, and charged, in conjunction with other offenses. For example, an individual may be charged with identity theft as well as prescription fraud if he or she is suspected of impersonating a doctor to submit a fraudulent prescription to a pharmacy. Identity theft can also be committed in conjunction with credit card fraud, identity fraud, and as a form of nursing home abuse.
Defenses Against Identity Theft Charges
Although our team cannot guarantee any specific outcome for your case, we can guarantee that we will explore all of your possible defense options and work hard to fight the charge on your behalf. A few possible defenses to use when facing an identity theft charge include:
- A mistaken identity. The prosecution might have wrongfully accused you of committing identity theft;
- A lack of proof that identity theft occurred; and
- Proof that shows that the alleged victim consented to your use of his or her identity. For example, if he or she authorized you to make a purchase with his or her credit card.
Contact Our Experienced Miami Identity Theft Lawyers
If you are facing an identity theft charge, you are facing steep penalties that may include large fines and incarceration. Invest in your future liberty by working with a member of our team of experienced Miami identity theft lawyers to fight the charge. To get started in your case’s defense strategy, contact our team at Ratzan & Faccidomo, LLC today to schedule your initial legal consultation in our office.