Identity theft; distribution of information acquired through theft is a Class 4 felony. (HB932)

Introduced By

Del. Rob Bell (R-Charlottesville)

Description

Identity theft revision.  Provides that the distribution of information acquired through identity theft is a Class 4 felony. The bill also punishes the new crime of aggravated identity theft, when a person, through identity theft, with the intent to defraud, for his own use or the use of a third person, (i) obtains money, goods, or services through the use of identifying information of such other person; (ii) obtains, records, or accesses identifying information while impersonating a law-enforcement officer or an official of the government of the Commonwealth; or (iii) avoids summons, arrest, prosecution, or impedes a criminal investigation, as a Class 5 felony. The bill also punishes obtaining identification documents in such other person's name as a Class 1 misdemeanor, and retains Class 1 misdemeanor punishment for obtaining, recording, or accessing identifying information which is not available to the general public that would assist in accessing financial resources, obtaining identification documents, or obtaining benefits of such other person. The bill eliminates identity theft provisions that fix punishment based on the number of records accessed or obtained, or the amount of money involved. Read the Bill »

Outcome

History