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Criminal Charges Related to Identity Theft in Wisconsin
Identity theft occurs when someone utilizes another person’s personal information without their permission and uses this information to commit fraud or other crimes. With today’s technology, this type of white collar crime can be easy to perpetrate, and it can take place in a variety of settings.
For example, a recent data recent breach at a major credit reporting agency affected 143 million consumers. The hackers accessed Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and driver’s license numbers. This personal information is now readily available and could be used to take out loans or credit cards.
Identity theft is also prevalent in filing income taxes. An identity thief can utilize a taxpayer's personal information to file a tax return and receive a refund without the taxpayer's knowledge before the taxpayer has a chance to file their own return.
Another type of identity theft involves using a child’s identifying information for various purposes, such as obtaining a loan or opening a bank account. With this method, the crime may go undiscovered for some time, possibly not until the child becomes an adult and the damage has been irreparably done.
Lastly, medical identity theft is a crime that is against Wisconsin law. This is a type of identity theft that occurs when personal medical information, such as one’s Medicare ID or health insurance member number, is used by another person to receive health care services. Medical ID theft also occurs when such information is used to issue fraudulent billing to a health insurance provider.
Because of the disastrous consequences for a victim, Wisconsin takes allegations and convictions of identity theft seriously. Identity theft in Wisconsin is a Class H felony.
That means this crime is punishable by up to six years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. This might seem harsh for a crime that is non-violent; however, non-violent offenders are sentenced to prison regularly.
Contact a Milwaukee, WI Identity Theft Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with identity theft, you have many rights according to the U.S. and Wisconsin constitutions. One right you have is the right to counsel. This means that you can consult with an attorney at any point leading up to your court date, and you can have an attorney of your choosing to represent you before a judge and jury.
Another aspect of your constitutional right to counsel is that you are entitled to an attorney that effectively represents you. The attorneys at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP have been providing those accused of crimes with effective representation for decades. Call our office at 414-271-1440 to schedule a consultation with an experienced Milwaukee criminal defense lawyer.
Source:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/943/III/201
https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft
