Identity Crime in Virginia regards as a crime in Virginia. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the crime, especially based on the amount of money lost by the victim to this crime, the crime is regarded as either a criminal misdemeanor charge or a felony charge.

However, in both instances, the crime is punishable by sentencing the perpetrator to prison and collecting fines.

Identity Crime In Virginia / Identity Fraud

Identity fraud refers to the practice whereby an individual obtains the personal identification of another person without authorization and either uses the information to obtain goods or services, seek employment and other benefits, or the information is sold or transferred.

When the perpetrator impersonates an officer, they are charged with a criminal offense and sentenced to prison.

If the victim loses money of up to $200 to identity theft, then the crime is said to be a Class six-level felony charge.

Also, when the perpetrator has more than five different identification cards in the names of different people, then the crime is regarded as a Class five felony charge.

Provided that the number of identification documents and information of victims amounts to more than 50, the perpetrator is guilty of a Class four-level felony charge.

Intent to Intimidate Using a Person’s Identity

When the perpetrator possesses the personal identifying information of another person to use the identification of another person to cause intimidation to other people, then the victim is said to be guilty of a misdemeanor charge in the state.

This crime involves publishing the victim’s identity online, which includes a photograph, the full name, address, telephone number, and other important information. This crime earns the perpetrator a Class one misdemeanor charge,

This crime, however, increases to a Class six felony charge when the identification information published is that of a public officer, which could be a police officer, any law enforcement officer, sheriff, warden, judge, etc.

Credit Card Fraud

The state of Virginia regards credit card fraud as they attempt to obtain and use another person’s credit card. The method of obtaining the card could be picking up a lost card or stealing one.

Using a card stolen or found somewhere to obtain goods, services, cash, or credit is considered a fraud charge.

Also, pretending to be the card owner when it does not belong to you is a serious case of fraud charged as a felony. If the amount of the goods, cash, or credit obtained using the card is more than $200, the charge regards a Class six felony charge. However, it is a misdemeanor charge if the total value of the goods and credit or cash obtained is less than $200.

For an individual who did not steal the card but conspired with the individual who did, s/he is also guilty of a class six felony charge. They may, however, receive a sentence that is slightly lesser than that of the main culprit.

Penalties

Perpetrators of identity theft are punished on different scales depending on the type of charge, which depends on the offenses committed.

• Class four felony:

Jail time: Between two and ten years and a fine of up to thousands of dollars

• Class five felony

Jail time: a minimum of one year and a fine of thousands of dollars depending on the court

• Class six felony

Jail time: Between one and five years and fine of thousands of dollars depending on the court

• Class six felony as a result of officer impersonation

Jail time: Twelve months and a fine of up to $2500

• Class 1 misdemeanor

Jail time: Six months to one year and a fine between $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the court.