Questions and Answers

Identity Theft And State Laws

Identifying State Laws

Here are some important tips on how to Identify State Laws, for shoppers and merchants.

Is identity theft a crime in my state?

Most states have passed laws related to identity theft. Where specific identity theft laws do not exist, the practices may be prohibited under other laws. See Laws or contact your State Attorney General's office or local consumer protection agency to find out whether your state has laws related to identity theft.

State Laws and Criminal Conduct

These state laws classify identity theft as criminal conduct. The definitions of "identity theft" and criminal sanctions vary by state.
 

Alabama	Alabama Code - 13A-8-192
Alaska	Alaska Stat - 11.46.565
	Alaska Stat - 11.46.570
Arizona	Ariz. Rev. Stat. - 13-2008
Arkansas	Ark. Code Ann. - 5-37-227
California	Cal. Penal Code - 530.5-8
Colorado	Colo. Rev. Stat. - 18-5-902
Connecticut	Conn. Stat. - 53a-129 (criminal)
	Conn. Stat. - 52-571h (civil)
Delaware	Del. Code Ann., tit. 5 - 854
District of Columbia	D.C. Official Code - 22-3227.02
	D.C. Official Code - 22-3227.03
	D.C. Official Code - 22-3227.04
Florida	Fla. Stat. Ann. - 817.568
Georgia	Ga. Code Ann. - 16-9-120 through 128
Guam	9 Guam Code Ann. - 46.80
Hawaii	HI Rev. Stat. - 708-839.6
	HI Rev. Stat. - 708-839.7
	HI Rev. Stat. - 708-839.8
Idaho	Idaho Code - 18-3126 (criminal)
Illinois	720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/16G-13
Indiana	Ind. Code - 35-43-5-3.5
Iowa	Iowa Code - 715A.8 (criminal)
Kansas	Kan. Stat. Ann. - 21-4018
Kentucky	Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. -  514.160
Louisiana	La. Rev. Stat. Ann. - 14:67.16
Maine	ME Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A -905-A
Maryland	Md. Code Ann. art. 27 - 231
Massachusetts	Mass. Gen. Laws - 397-37E
Michigan	Mich. Comp. Laws - 445.65
Minnesota	Minn. Stat. Ann. -  609.527
Mississippi	Miss. Code Ann. - 97-19-85
Missouri	Mo. Rev. Stat. - 570.223
Montana	Mon. Code Ann - 45-6-332
Nebraska	NE Rev. Stat. - 28-608
	NE Rev. Stat. - 28-620
Nevada	Nev. Rev. State. - 205.463
	Nev. Rev. State. - 205.464
	Nev. Rev. State. - 205.465
New Hampshire	N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. - 638:26
New Jersey	N.J. Stat. Ann. - 2C:21-17
New Mexico	N.M. Stat. Ann. - 30-16-24.1
New York	N.Y. CLS Penal - 190.77-190.84
	(Go to "Laws of New York," Penal, and click on Article 190)
North Carolina	N.C. Gen. Stat. - 14-113.20-23
North Dakota	N.D.C.C. - 12.1-23-11
Ohio	Ohio Rev. Code Ann. - 2913.49
Oklahoma	Okla. Stat. tit. 21, - 1533.1
Oregon	Or. Rev. Stat. - 165.800
Pennsylvania	18 Pa. Cons. Stat. - 4120
Rhode Island	R.I. Gen. Laws - 11-49.1-1-4
South Carolina	S.C. Code Ann. - 16-13-510-530
South Dakota	S.D. Codified Laws - 22-30A-3.1.
Tennessee	TCA - 39-14-150 (criminal)
	TCA - 47-18-2101 (civil)
	TCA - 47-18-2102 (civil)
	TCA - 47-18-2103 (civil)
	TCA - 47-18-2105 (civil)
Texas	Tex. Penal Code - 32.51
Utah	Utah Code Ann. - 76-6-1101
	Utah Code Ann. - 76-6-1102
	Utah Code Ann. - 76-6-1103
	Utah Code Ann. - 76-6-1104
Vermont	Vermont Code - 13.2030
Virginia	Va. Code Ann. - 18.2-186.3
Washington	Wash. Rev. Code - 9.35.020
West Virginia	W. Va. Code - 61-3-54
Wisconsin	Wis. Stat. - 943.201
Wyoming	Wyo. Stat. Ann. - 6-3-901
U.S. Territories	Does not have specific law.
U.S. Virgin Islands	14 VI Code Ann. -- 3003
Puerto Rico	Does not have specific law.

 

 

Source: FTC

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

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