Identity theft has become rampant in Muskogee, Oklahoma. People’s personal information is so available — debit and credit card numbers on restaurant receipts, driver’s license numbers, e-mail addresses, Social Security numbers, bank account information, and birthdates.
Any time someone obtains or uses these items of information to obtain money, credit, goods, or services in another person’s name without their consent, this constitutes the crime of identity theft in Oklahoma. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1533
Identity Theft in Oklahoma is a Serious Crime
Identity theft in Oklahoma is serious, both for the victim and for the perpetrator. For the victim, it can take years and thousands of dollars to sort out, for the perpetrator, it can mean significant jail time and hefty fines in addition to restitution.
Picking up a credit card number off of a restaurant receipt with the intent to use it later for your own gain could still lead to identity theft charges, even if you do not ever use the information. The prosecution merely must prove your intentions for the information were criminal.
Likewise, it is identity theft to take a person’s financial or other personal information from a bank or other financial institution. This is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. In addition, the court may order restitution to every person whose identity was compromised.
Identity Theft in Oklahoma Laws
Oklahoma has a plethora of laws regarding identity theft in the state. It is against the law in Oklahoma to obtain any personal identifying information of another with the intent to use that information in any manner for personal gain.
The penalties are stiff. You can be incarcerated for 1 to 10 years. A fine of $100 may be imposed in addition to restitution for the victim of the identity theft. The victim may also bring a civil suit against you for damages.
In addition, it is illegal to use email fraudulently to obtain information, or to phish for that information, or to call people and try to obtain that information fraudulently. (Okla. Stat. tit. 15 § 776.1; Okla. Stat. tit. 15 §§ 776.10-776.11 et. seq.; Okla. Stat. tit. 15 § 776.23)
Civil penalties of up to $100,000 for each incident and injunctive relief to stop the action may apply.
Low-cost Consultation: Muskogee Criminal Defense Attorney
Crimes involving identity theft in Oklahoma carry heavy penalties and significant jail time. It is imperative that if you are charged with any of these offenses, that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Your Call Wirth Law Office – Muskogee today at 918-913-0725 or toll free at 1-888-447-7262 [Wirth Law].
