The concept of Identity Theft Laws In Kentucky has always been in existence.
However, the case is becoming more prevalent these days as we use our personal identifying information in more public ways.
The state of Kentucky provided laws that seek to protect the victims of this crime and punish its perpetrators.
It considers identity theft to be a felony crime.
Identity theft refers to the act of obtaining the personal identifying information (such as birth date, driver’s license number, social security number, and so on) of an individual (the victim) by another person (the perpetrator).
The information can use in illegal ways to make financial transactions, seek employment, and several more.
Identity Theft Laws In Kentucky
The identity law of the state of Kentucky provides several conditions that determine if an individual is indeed guilty of identity theft when an individual:
Takes control of the properties of another person, with the intent to acquires the property of another person, to aid either his/herself or other people without having the right to do so.
Irrespective of the recency of the identifying information obtained by the perpetrator, be it current information or previous such as a woman’s maiden name—the act regards as a crime.
If the individual whose identity information was obtained is deceased, the perpetrator would still charge.
This theft, however, does not apply to minors who desire to obtain certain privileges that are allowed.
Credit Card Theft
The information present on the credit card considers being private to each individual.
If the information on it, or the credit card itself, is put up for sale or use, then the perpetrator of guilty of a Class D felony, provided that the total amount taken from the credit card is between $500 and $10,000. However, for an amount above $10,000, the charge is bumped up to a Class C felony charge.
Trafficking in Stolen Identities
When an individual has a minimum of five different identifications, he is proven to engage in trafficking in stolen identities. This crime considers being a Class C felony offense.
Also, other actions related to this crime, such as manufacturing the identities, selling, and purchasing them, are a part of the crime.
Phishing
The Act of phishing refers to the situation where one individual attempts to acquire the personal identifying information of another person. This act is carried out online, either through online websites or email.
It involves the perpetrator representing his/herself as an important group that requires certain personal information such as the address, social security number, or full name from victims, so they could help prove a particular account belongs to them or verify an account.
When they use websites, it is such that they would access whatever information the victims enter.
Phishing is a crime that is charged as a Class A felony
Penalties
Class D felony
This charge applies to identity theft cases that involve removing a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $10,000 from the account of the victim.
The crime is punishable with a minimum jail time of one year and maximum jail time of five years, and a fine of up to $10,000.
Class C felony
This charge applies to perpetrators who were involved in identity theft with over $10,000 in damages.
The crime is punishable with jail time between five and ten years, along with a fine of double the amount removed either from the victim’s account or from the sale of the stolen cards.