Minneapolis Identity Theft Lawyers
Despite increasing legislation regarding the activity, identity theft in Minnesota and across the country continues to rise. Federal prosecutors will act aggressively in pursuing a case, often seeking the maximum penalties. The Minneapolis identity theft lawyers at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys have more than 25 years of experience defending clients in these and similar cases. Let our law firm help you fight a conviction.
We provide free initial consultations to all clients. To schedule an appointment, contact us Today.
Do You Need to Hire an Identity Theft Attorney in Minnesota?
If you suspect that you are under investigation for identity theft, or you have already been arrested, you need to hire an experienced identity theft defense lawyer right away. An identity theft conviction can result in steep fines and significant time behind bars.
Contact a Minnesota identity theft attorney at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys for help.
What Is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is a serious crime that impacts millions of people every year. 2022 Identity theft facts and statistics reveal that approximately 507 million fraud and identity theft reports were made to the FTC in 2021.
According to Minnesota statute, an identity theft charge can involve the illegal use of:
- Someone’s name, date of birth, Social Security number or taxpayer identification
- Someone’s electronic identification number, address or routing code
- Someone’s telecommunication access device or identification information
In most cases in Minnesota, identity theft charges involve a person using someone else’s name and/or information without permission to obtain property or achieve financial gain. Examples of identity theft include:
- Filing a tax return in someone else’s name to obtain a refund
- Applying for or getting a loan or credit card using someone else’s information
- Using another person’s credit card to make a purchase or withdraw money
It is also considered a crime to set up a website or send an email with the intention of obtaining someone’s identity, even if the person is never successful in doing so.
Minneapolis Identity Theft Lawyers Fight Harsh Charges and Penalties in Minnesota
Identity theft charges can range from misdemeanor to felony. The amount of losses an alleged victim incurs as well as how many victims are involved will determine the severity of the crime.
If the offense is in regard to just one victim and the total loss is $250 or less, the identity theft charge is usually a misdemeanor. Even a misdemeanor conviction, however, can result in up to 90 days in jail and fines of up to $1,000.
An identity theft crime involving two or three victims, with losses that total up to $2,500, could mean that a defendant will receive up to five years behind bars and fines of up to $10,000.
In the most extreme identity theft cases, where there are eight or more direct victims, and/or over $35,000 in total losses, people who are convicted may be ordered to pay fines of up to $100,000 and spend up to 20 years in prison.
With advances in technology, identity theft now encompasses people who are using a device to transmit, copy or change people’s credit card information. A conviction in this area is punishable by fines of as much as $5,000 and prison time up to five years.
Why Hire Our Minneapolis Identity Theft Lawyers to Handle Your Case?
Prosecution is aggressive for identity theft crimes in Minnesota. As such, you are advised to work with identity theft lawyers who are experienced with these types of cases. At Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys, we can help you understand what to expect during an identity theft investigation. Our criminal defense team will:
- ensure your rights are protected as your case progresses
- identify holes in the prosecution’s case
- significantly improve your chances of achieving a successful outcome
Our identity theft lawyers represent people in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding communities who have been charged with identity theft and other crimes. Our law firm is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer free initial consultations for people facing criminal charges.
