Identity theft is generally a financial crime that involves the use of illegally obtained information about another person—such as name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and credit card numbers—in order to use existing credit accounts or open new ones in the other person’s name. When this happens, criminals capture the spending power of another person’s credit while sticking the victims (individuals, financial institutions, merchants) with the bill.

Laws regarding identity theft vary from state to state in their naming, classification, and penalties—with criminal offenses such as “Unauthorized Acquisition or Transfer of Certain Financial Information,” “Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information,” “Unlawful Possession of Personal Identifying Information,” “Identity Theft,” “Identity Fraud,” “False Personation,” or “Criminal Impersonation.”

Laws related to identity theft are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Missouri, identity theft is addressed under the Missouri Revised Statutes, specifically in Section 570.223. This statute defines identity theft as knowingly and with the intent to deceive or defraud, obtaining, possessing, transferring, using, or attempting to use the identity of another person without lawful authority. The severity of the crime in Missouri ranges from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class B felony, depending on the amount of credit, money, goods, services, or other benefit received or sought in the crime. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment, or both. Additionally, Missouri law provides for restitution to the victims of identity theft. It is important for individuals in Missouri to understand that identity theft is a serious criminal offense and that state law provides mechanisms for prosecution and penalties for those who commit such crimes.