According to the Federal Trade Commission, Georgia ranks 7th in states for identity theft complaints. In 2008 there were 10,748 complaints made in our state alone.
According to this article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution new efforts are underway to combat the problem. Local agencies including the Atlanta Police Department and the Atlanta Victim Assistance’s Project SAFE program are working together to educate communities about the dangers of identity theft.
Identity theft or identity fraud is defined by Georgia criminal statutes as using the identifying information of someone else to defraud or creating counterfeit information using someone else’s identity. You can even be charged if you knowingly accept fraudulent identifying information.
The charges faced for this offense depend on the amount of money or value of the theft involved. Another factor that affects your charges is if you have been previously charged with an offense like this.
For instance, if this is a first offense you may face 10 years in prison. But if this is your second offense that potential sentence is increased to 15 years.
Identity theft can be committed by people stealing your mail, going through a misplaced wallet, or using the information you give them in what you believe to be a secure transaction.
One Georgia man, who worked at a resort, used the credit card information of guests to defraud multiple people of over $20,000 in goods and services. He used the cards to take vacations across the country. He now faces charges in Montgomery County, Pa.
Facing white collar crime charges like identity theft, credit card fraud, or even bad checks can result in numerous years spent behind bars and several thousands of dollars in fines. These charges are far from minor and can drastically change your life.
If you are facing any type of fraud charges like these in the Georgia criminal justice system, you want to be certain you choose an experienced attorney ready to put in serious work on your behalf. Call me today so we can discuss the details of your case and the best way to handle your defense.
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