The news concerning the theft of the Identity of individuals has been on the rise, as a result of the frequency with which our personal identifying information is being made public either when we want to pay our bills online, or when we make purchases, and other means.
Hawaii Identity Theft Laws
It is for this reason that the state of Hawaii has established a variety of laws and regulations that will ensure that the identifying information of the residents of the state kept secret, and in the situation where the identity is stolen successfully, provided that the individual who stole it was caught, then they will punish to the full extent.
Identity theft refers to the practice of attempting to obtain or obtaining the personal identifying information (such as full name, address, driver’s license number, email address, and several more information) of an individual (the victim) by another individual (the perpetrator) to make a fraudulent gain.
These gains include obtaining products, cash, credits or services, seeking employment, evading prosecution, and a host of other gains. In addition, the law of the state of Hawaii provides several degrees for the crimes of Identity theft.
Identity theft in the First Degree
This category involves transmitting personal identifying information to use to commit a crime. The offense regards as a first-degree felony charge.
Identity Theft in the Second Degree
This category involves the perpetrator intending to commit or commit a crime while using another person’s identity. This crime regards as a second-degree felony charge.
Identity Theft in the Third Degree –
This category describes the practice of stealing property with the identity of another person. It act regards as a third-degree felony charge.
Possession of Confidential Information
The act of being in possession of the personal identifying information of another person considers being a crime or felony. Therefore, any individual that is found to be in possession of the personal information of another person considers to be guilty and charged with a Class C felony.
Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card
It refers to situations where an individual uses a credit card that register under the name of another person. If the total amount charged under the credit card is less than $300, then the offense is regarded as a misdemeanor charge; however, if the amount charged is more than $300 in six months, it is regarded as a Class C felony charge.
Impersonating an Officer
In Hawaii, it is considered a crime when a police officer or a member of law enforcement is impersonated. It is also considered to be a crime to wear the badge belonging to law enforcement officers.
The aforementioned crimes are considered to be a class C felony charge. However, if a firearm is found in possession of the perpetrator of these acts, the offense jumps to a first-degree felony charge.
Penalties
A first-degree felony charge
Individuals who are found to be guilty of this crime are sentenced to a maximum of twenty years in prison with a fine that could be up to $50,000.
Second-degree felony charge
Perpetrators guilty of this offense are sentenced to a maximum of ten years in prison, with a fine of up to $25,000.
Third-degree felony charge
It is punishable with a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The class C felony charge
This charge earns the perpetrator between one and five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.