In the current digital age, identity theft is on the rise. Consequently, law enforcement across the country is cracking down. Much of the identity theft of today occurs online. However, identities may still be stolen without the use of a computer. The attorneys at Marshall Criminal Defense have years of experience defending individuals from various charges of identity theft in New Jersey.
There are many ways an identity can be stolen from one person and used by another person. Here are a few ways that a person’s personal information may be acquired:
- “Dumpster diving” – looking through trash for bills and other paperwork with personal information.
- Mail theft – items of mail are simply taken from a mailbox or post office box.
- “Porch pirates” – mail or packages are stolen from a porch or other location. These packages may include important or confidential paperwork. Invoices or packing lists for goods may include personal information, as well.
- Theft – wallets, purses, checkbooks, credit cards, IDs, driver’s licenses, passports, cell phones, laptop computers, personal electronic devices, or paperwork is stolen from a house, workplace, public area, or car.
- USPS address changes – a change of address is filed with the post office to divert someone’s mail to a different address.
- “Skimming” – involves a small electronic device that can be used to read the information encoded on the magnetic stripe of a credit card. (Note that this may also result in charges related to credit card fraud.)
- Phishing/Pretexting – emails or text messages sent, often to many people, by an individual pretending to be a trusted company requesting account numbers, passwords, or other personal information. (Note that this may also result in charges related to computer crimes.)
- Hacking computer networks or websites to gain access to databases personal information.
- Malware or spyware traces activity on a personal computer and sends information to another person.
The charge of identity theft clearly has the potential to be very serious. You should therefore strongly consider contacting Marshall Criminal Defense in order to speak to an attorney who is highly experienced in defending identity theft in New Jersey, including cases in Monmouth County, Middlesex County, Hudson County, Ocean County, Somerset County and elsewhere.
