West Palm Beach Identity Theft Attorneys

Identity theft - or identity fraud - is the act of taking someone’s identity in order to obtain credit, credit cards, cash, loans, accounts, employment, or other personal gain.

‍Under Florida General Statute 817.568, using someone else’s name and personally identifying information subjects you to a potential identity theft charge.

Florida law classifies identity theft crimes as follows:

The following types of conduct may constitute identity theft, among others:

Under the Florida statute, identity theft is often deemed a first degree misdemeanor, absent aggravating circumstances.
However, depending on factors like the way you obtained the information and how you used it, you may face a charge as high as a first degree felony, resulting in twenty years to life in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. A second degree felony carries a sentence of up to fifteen years in prison and a $10,000 fine, and a third degree felony can result in up to five years and $5,000.

Misdemeanor charges result in lesser punishments, ranging from one year in prison and a $1,000 fine to a 60-day sentence and a $500 fine. In some cases, a court may order you to pay the victim restitution.

No matter the specifics of your situation, engaging an identity fraud attorney can help you establish the best defense.