Identity theft refers to the act of obtaining the personal identifying information (such as birthdate, password, social security number, among others) of an individual and using this information for financial gain.
Wyoming Identity Theft Laws
The act is on the rise in Wyoming and becoming more dangerous as a result of the private information we keep releasing to the public through different avenues.
It has prompted Wyoming to put a number of laws in place concerning the use of personal information, impersonation, and false identities. Therefore, the aforementioned acts are prohibited in the state of Wyoming and are punished according to the court of law of the state.
The individuals who acquire the identifying information of other people are regarded as perpetrators in this article. These acts of making use of the information of other people (regarded as the victims) could earn the perpetrator a sentence to prison, depending on the circumstances surrounding the fraudulent act.
When the perpetrator uses the identifying information to achieve a financial gain of sorts, the charge on the act is more than the charge when the perpetrator only obtains the information.
Unauthorized Use of Personal Information
The use of identifying information of other people without their authorization considers being a misdemeanor in the state of Wyoming.
This information includes home addresses, email addresses, government-issued identification cards, biometric data, telephone numbers, social security numbers, and other information to identify an individual.
Provided that the total amount removed from the victim’s account is more than $1,000, then the charge on the perpetrator moves from being a misdemeanor to a felony charge.
The maximum amount of time the perpetrator would spend in jail for the felony charge is ten years. This charge may also attract fines.
Use of False Identity
When the perpetrator uses a falsified document to conceal their identity, the act is considered a misdemeanor offense. It is punishable by sentencing the perpetrator to a maximum jail time of less than one year.
The charge may also attract a fine of up to $1,000. This law also makes it a crime to use falsified documents or a false identity to obtain resources or become a public servant.
Unlawful Impersonation Through Electronic Means
The act of impersonating another person online is not permitted in the state of Wyoming. This crime involves setting up a false account or a fake website, which could be through social media or email.
This law also relates to spoofing, which is the act of changing the telephone number or name that appears on a caller ID through a telephone service.
Provided that the victim wishes to file charges against the perpetrator, he may bring a civil suit. If the perpetrator is found guilty, s/he would be required to pay for the damages incurred by the victim as a result of the crime and pay for the court’s costs.
This crime also makes the perpetrator subject to a charge from the state prosecutor. The act is a misdemeanor charge, and it earns the perpetrator a jail time of one year and a fine of $1,000.
Penalties
If the financial loss of the crime is not up to $500, the crime is considered a misdemeanor. However, if it is more than $500, the crime becomes a felony charge.
The misdemeanor charge attracts either a jail time of up to six months or a fine of up to $750 or both.
The felony charge attracts either a jail time of up to 10 years or a fine of up to $10,000 or both.
The court could also order the perpetrator to pay restitution to the victim for the costs and damages incurred during the process. These costs include attorney fees, lien, and other obligations as a result of the crime.