We have seen Identity Theft cases where people go to pretty extreme measures to obtain other people’s personal and financial information. However, this Identity Theft Ring took things to a new level. In Jefferson County, five people were arrested for Theft, Identity Theft, Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft, Criminal Impersonation and Possession of Identity Theft Tools after breaking into mailboxes in Jefferson County and the Denver metro area. The group allegedly broke into cluster mailboxes, the type used in multi-family housing or neighborhoods.
On two separate occasions, instead of just breaking into the mailboxes and taking the contents, the group took the actual mailboxes. They allegedly stole a blue mail collection box, which was bolted to the sidewalk, and a cluster mailbox right from the ground. They used the information to create identification documents and checks in order to get cash, items, and drugs.
What is Identity Theft in Fort Collins?
In Larimer, Boulder and Grand County, a person can be charged with Identity Theft – C.R.S. 18-5-902 – if they:
- “Knowingly use the personal identifying information, financial identifying information, or financial device of another without permission or lawful authority with the intent to obtain cash, credit, property, services, or any other thing of value or to make a financial payment;
- Knowingly possess the personal identifying information, financial identifying information, or financial device of another without permission or lawful authority, with the intent to use or to aid or permit some other person to use such information or device to obtain cash, credit, property, services, or any other thing of value or to make a financial payment;
- With the intent to defraud, falsely make, complete, alter, or utter a written instrument or financial device containing any personal identifying information or financial identifying information of another;
- Knowingly possess the personal identifying information or financial identifying information of another without permission or lawful authority to use in applying for or completing an application for a financial device or other extension of credit; or
- Knowingly use or possess the personal identifying information of another without permission or lawful authority with the intent to obtain a government-issued document.”
According to the information in the article, the group is charged with Identity Theft for (a), (b) and (c). If they had used any of the documents or checks to try and obtain new credit cards or government issued licenses or passports, (d) and (e) would apply as well.
A conviction for Identity Theft will impair your ability to obtain a future job or obtain any position of trust. Don’t take chances when charged with this serious offense. If you are contacted by Fort Collins, Loveland or Estes Park Police, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call the experienced Identity Theft lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office, P.C., at 970-658-0007, or submit this form. Together, we can protect your future.