Laws Against Identity Theft
Identity theft is one of the crimes that are considered difficult to legally control. It has already become one of the most common crimes, posing an estimated total cost that shoots up to 50 billion dollars a year. Aside from the financial loss that is faced by every victimized consumer, individuals who are preyed by this illegal activity can also suffer from bad financial reputation and several other undeserved liabilities.
Despite the threatening proliferation of identity theft crimes, it is discouraging to know that several perpetrators of these illicit activities continue to evade from law enforcement radars. It is promising, however, that more countries and states have taken essential actions in strengthening the legal aspects of protecting its citizens from identity theft.
On July 2004, Former US President George Bush approved a law stiffening the penalties for committing identity theft and other similar crimes. Known as the “Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act”, this legal measure distinguishes identity theft as a criminal offense, thus establishing prison terms and mandatory penalties equivalent for it. Through this act, criminals who are convicted of committing identity theft are required to serve in prison for two years in addition to his/her imprisonment prescribed for immigration offenses, Social Security fraud, and government theft among others. Identity thieves who commit the crime for terrorism purposes, however, are detained for five years added to his/her sentence for felonious acts.
Aside from outlining the specific penalties related to identity theft, the Identity Theft Enhancement Act also aims to strengthen its enforcement. With the provision of funds for the investigation and prosecution of fraudulent cases, it is with great hope that the rate of identity thefts will be significantly reduced or even completely eliminated in the coming years.
At present, several countries and states are already formulating bills and laws on identity theft. What continue to be a challenge though for law enforcement agencies are the impressive abilities of identity thieves to constantly reinvent themselves, thus pushing their capabilities and resources to its limits.
Rachel Jensen is good when it comes to identity theft protection. She always recommend the site bestidentityprotection.net for those who are asking about the do's and don'ts in order to protect your identity from theft.
Despite the threatening proliferation of identity theft crimes, it is discouraging to know that several perpetrators of these illicit activities continue to evade from law enforcement radars. It is promising, however, that more countries and states have taken essential actions in strengthening the legal aspects of protecting its citizens from identity theft.
On July 2004, Former US President George Bush approved a law stiffening the penalties for committing identity theft and other similar crimes. Known as the “Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act”, this legal measure distinguishes identity theft as a criminal offense, thus establishing prison terms and mandatory penalties equivalent for it. Through this act, criminals who are convicted of committing identity theft are required to serve in prison for two years in addition to his/her imprisonment prescribed for immigration offenses, Social Security fraud, and government theft among others. Identity thieves who commit the crime for terrorism purposes, however, are detained for five years added to his/her sentence for felonious acts.
Aside from outlining the specific penalties related to identity theft, the Identity Theft Enhancement Act also aims to strengthen its enforcement. With the provision of funds for the investigation and prosecution of fraudulent cases, it is with great hope that the rate of identity thefts will be significantly reduced or even completely eliminated in the coming years.
At present, several countries and states are already formulating bills and laws on identity theft. What continue to be a challenge though for law enforcement agencies are the impressive abilities of identity thieves to constantly reinvent themselves, thus pushing their capabilities and resources to its limits.
Rachel Jensen is good when it comes to identity theft protection. She always recommend the site bestidentityprotection.net for those who are asking about the do's and don'ts in order to protect your identity from theft.
