Massachusetts Identity Theft Defense Attorneys
You wouldn't likely know you were a victim of identity theft until you got a call from a collection agency. If that happened to you or somebody close to you, chances are that you would want to see the perpetrator brought to justice.
Falsely posing as another person is a criminal act and carries serious penalties. Identity theft is fraud and the fastest growing crime in the United States. It affects thousands of Massachusetts citizens and millions of Americans each year.
The average case costs law enforcement $15,000, which explains why there is zero-tolerance toward those being investigated, arrested, charged, or convicted of the crime.
What Constitutes Identity Theft or Identity Fraud?
Identity thieves are able to accomplish their crimes by doing things such as opening a new credit card account with a false address, or using the victim's name, date of birth, and social security number. When the thief uses the credit card and does not pay the resulting bills, the delinquent account is reported on the victim's credit report.
There are several other ways that you can be charged with identity theft in Massachusetts:
- Insiders at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) may provide someone on the outside with license numbers;
- Cashiers at a local Walmart, Costco, BJ's, or supermarket could ask customers to write their driver license number on checks, and later photocopy or write it down;
- Workers in a building, or even neighbors, could rummage through dumpsters looking for credit card receipts; or
- Web surfers may buy data from information brokers who sometimes ask questions about a buyer's motives
Additionally, the increasing numbers of people illegally immigrating into the United States illegally from other counties has led to an explosion of stolen Social Security numbers. As a result, law enforcement has renewed efforts to crack down on identify theft and identity fraud.
Helping Victims of Identity Theft
If you or someone very close to you has been a victim of identity theft, call the team from The Massachusetts Criminal Defense Group. We can help you regain control of your bank accounts, and credit history. We'll help you place a fraud alert on your credit file, close tampered-with accounts, and file a police report with the local authorities.
Charged With Identity Theft?
It Often Leads to Additional Charges.
Often times, identify theft is related to other criminal charges. College students routinely have Fake IDs, and usually think little of it. With that Fake ID comes larger implications. Certain theft-related crimes - purse snatching, larceny, or even burglary - may lead to bigger problems. If you have been arrested for identify theft or fraud, contact our criminal defense attorneys for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our phone number is (800) 461-6900, or you can contact us 24/7/365 online.
Protect Yourself By Hiring
Our Theft and White Collar Defense Attorneys
When the prosecution's evidence is inconsistent, we conduct our own investigation into the charges against our client. If and when it's needed, we'll consult with computer experts, forensic accountants, handwriting experts, and other investigative professionals in challenging the evidence against you.
Throughout the criminal process - the initial investigation, arrest, Grand Jury indictment, charging, Bail Hearing, arraignment, plea negotiations, trial, verdict, and probation - we will provide you with vigorous representation. Additionally, we will always make sure the evidence entered by the District Attorney was gathered correctly, and that any witness statements were properly examined.
Information at Rest
On March 1, 2010, a new law was enacted that required each Massachusetts resident's first name and last name or first initial and last name in combination with his or her social security number, driver's license number or state-issued identification card number, and financial account number or credit card or debit card number to be protected in any form - whether paper or digital - by being encrypted when stored on any portable device such as a laptop, Smart phone (iPhone, Blackberry, etc.), or portable hard drive such as a USB drive.
Call Our Identity Theft & White Collar Defense Attorneys
For a Case Evaluation
If you've already been arrested and charged - or if you're under investigation for Identity Theft or any other White Collar Crime, call our defense attorneys now at our offices in Woburn, Worcester, Springfield, Norwood, or Plymouth. We meet clients at night and over the weekend - we even meet clients on Sunday! Our phone number is (800) 461-6900, or you can contact us online.