Identity Theft Lawyer in Fort Myers

Have you been charged with identity theft?

Under the umbrella category of fraud, identity theft is one of the most commonly committed white collar crimes. Also known as identity fraud, identity theft is the act of stealing another person's identity in order to access their credit and other resources available under their name. This type of theft could include stealing any sort of personal identifying information such as their social security number, credit card number or their name, for personal financial gain or to commit fraud. In some cases, the victim of identity theft can suffer adversarial consequences as a result of the perpetrator's wrongdoings.

Identity theft is considered to be a federal offense that shockingly occurs more frequently that you would think. In fact, Florida is at high risk for fraud because it ranks #1 for identity theft complaints. Across the U.S., 1 in every 23 Americans fall victim to identity theft and then spends approximately 600 hours trying to recover their money. Crimes of this nature tend to attract ample media attraction and the local and federal governments are buckling down on these offenders by doing thorough investigations. In some cases, individuals commit identity theft in conjunction with evading law enforcement, by telling officials a false name at the time of arrest.

There are many different ways the personal information can be stole. The most common cases of identity theft are committed by:

• Pick pocketing
• Stealing a wallet or purse
• Rummaging through a person's trash
• Posing as a professional representative who would need this information
• Stealing information from unsecured sites on the internet
• Stealing personal mail
• Hacking into personal files
• Stealing cred card numbers with a card reader
• Taking advantage of personal company information
• Eavesdropping on personal financial transactions

What are the penalties for identity theft?

The law has very severe criminal penalties for convicted identity theft offenders. Under Florida code § 817.568, identity theft is a felony offense that is punishable for a minimum of ten years imprisonment and a fine up to $15,000. The offender may also be responsible for additional charges in accordance with any crimes they committed, while using the stolen identity. You may also be liable to pay restitution to the identity theft victim. If you have been charged with identity theft, you must act quickly and consult with a Fort Myers criminal defense attorney at Brian L. Edwards, Esq.

Here at the firm, we understand the severity of your situation. Mistakes happen and we are here to help. We have successfully defended countless individuals in the past who are facing the same severe circumstances as you. Attorney Edwards has former prosecution experience, which means that he is uniquely qualified to defend you. He has also litigated in hundreds of jury trials and we have a track record of success.

We defend against a multitude of criminal charges including white collar crimes and we will work tirelessly to have your charges reduced or discharged completely. Hire a trustworthy attorney who won't let you down! As a former assistant state attorney, Mr. Edwards has gained unique insight and knowledge and he knows how to build a tough defense against your charges. We will work tirelessly to obtain a favorable outcome in your case. Our firm offers a free case evaluation to all potential clients, so call today to discuss your case.