Credit Card Theft

With the increased use of credit and debit cards over cash and checks, there have been a corresponding increase in credit card theft. Thieves would steal the victim’s card statement out of their mailbox and use the credit card number to make fraudulent purchases. Credit card theft today has become much more complicated than just stealing a statement from a mailbox. Fortunately, laws against this crime have been broadened with increased punishments.

Factual Innocence As A Defense For Identity Theft

If someone has used your name, date of birth, social security number, etc. to obtain credit, services, or goods fraudulently they have committed identity theft. Sometimes, people will give their stolen identity to police when they are arrested and charged with a crime, and you will have to contend with not only any credit implications but you might get a criminal arrest record. Each state is different in how they come to a finding of factual innocence but for the most part, anyone who is wrongly convicted of a crime due to identity theft will be eligible for a finding of factual innocence.

Identity Theft; It’s Only Funny in Movies

Of course, we all enjoy a good comedy movie. It’s funny to watch on the big screen an exaggerated story about someone else’s misfortune. This is true for the 2013 movie Identity Theft starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy. McCarthy and Bateman share the name “Sandy Patterson.”The real Sandy Patterson’s identity has been stolen by a woman in Florida living it up in his name. His job is on the line so he decided to track her down and prove that his credit issues are not his doing. What he finds is an overweight, middle-aged, woman who tries to run for it every chance she gets. On top of that she is being chased by bounty hunters. Unlike real life, they bond in the process and become friends.