Identity theft is when someone takes another person’s personal information for the purpose of committing fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission, which is tasked with helping victims recover from such a crime. Individuals convicted of identity theft or other computer crimes face significant criminal penalties. Although identity theft is fairly common, it’s often confused with other crimes. So, what is considered identity theft in Illinois?
Identity Theft in Illinois
In the Prarie State, the legal definition of identity theft mirrors how the FTC defines it, but specifically refers to the theft of “personal identifying information” or a “personal identification document.” These include identification cards like a driver’s license, account information, bank or credit card statements, bills, and a case could even be made if you use information you found about someone on the internet.
In general, using stolen personal identifying information to commit fraud can amount to identity theft, but exactly how and who you steal from will affect the severity of the charge. Authorities consider it aggravated identity theft if you steal personal identifying information from a person 60 years of age or older or a person with a disability. Another aggravating factor is if you steal the information on behalf of a gang or organized criminal outfit.
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