Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Maryland
identity theft punishment
Recently a credit card company called and informed me that a card, taken out in my name, had been over $700 in debt. Through information from the credit card company, I determined that it was done by my ex. He used my name and social security number to order this card over the internet. He gave his e-mail address for confirmation, and a PO Box to have the bills sent to. I then looked over my credit report to discover he also had given another PO Box in my name in another state. I was cleared of the credit card charges, but I would like to know what I can do to have him punished. Everybody tells me there is nothing that can be done but I find it hard to believe that he can commit credit card fraud, mail fraud, computer fraud, and get away with it. Thank You
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: identity theft punishment
You would have a common law invasion of privacy claim. Get copies of all 3 of your credit reports and review them to see what damage has been done.
Re: identity theft punishment
Identity theft is a federal and state crime. For more information, see the state attorney general's website -http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/idtheft.htm. and the Federal Trade Commission webiste - http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/consumertopics_bk.html.