Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act
One of the most feared crimes in the United States has become the theft of another person’s identity. This occurs when a criminal uses someone else’s personal information for monetary gain.
The U.S Federal Trade Commission estimates that identity theft rime alone costs Americans over 1 billion dollars each year, and affects anywhere from 7 million to 10 million people. If you’re a victim of this crime, you may have spent a significant amount of time simply making efforts to repair your credit and recover your personal losses. The downside is, those who are convicted of this crime as a first offense often walk out of the court room without much more than a term of probation with a court ordered amount of restitution. However, the passing of the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act, or ITPEA, is believed to help reduce the amount of people committing identity-related crimes every year by instituting heightened penalties for the offense, and setting new guidelines for sentencing when these crimes come before the court.
The Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act states that anyone that engages in a crime intentionally using someone else’s identity, or anyone who possesses or transfers personal information without the owner’s permission or authority, will have an extra two years to his or her prison sentence. It also eliminates any possibility of parole or early release. If a person commits identity fraud while committing a serious crime such as terrorism or other violence, the penalty will be another 5 years.
The Problem with Identity Theft Cases
A lot of the cases that involve identity theft aren’t taken as seriously as violent or aggravated crimes, in most cases because prosecuting attorneys don’t feel these types of cases merit the invested amount of time needed to get such a light penalty. Victims of identity theft are often left without much recourse once the offense has been discovered, though the effects of identity theft can linger for years.
- Most identity theft cases result in no amount of jail time, and issue basically a slap on the wrist for an offense that can alter the life of the victim drastically.
- Some prosecuting attorneys believe the penalties sought for these types of offenses should be determined on a case by case basis that looks at the particular offense.
What People Are Saying About PROSHRED®
Thank you Proshred for your professional handling of our document shredding. Quinten is always helpful and goes above and beyond to assist us.
SWB Law offices10/30/2018Highly recommend Proshred. The driver arrived exactly on time and was very professional. Best way to dispose of important papers or documents.
Would definitely use them again.Ed Rosato1/23/2019My experience with PROSHRED Fort Lauderdale was excellent. All of the individuals with whom I spoke on the phone and interacted personally were extremely professional.... read moreMy experience with PROSHRED Fort Lauderdale was excellent. All of the individuals with whom I spoke on the phone and interacted personally were extremely professional. The services provided to me were exemplary. The PROSHRED employees who came to my house were professional, on time and performed the services in a timely manner. They called when on the way and I was also given a time window the previous day, so I had no surprises. The PROSHRED truck was clean as were the containers used. I will use this company again. Thank you. read less
Sharon Ireland10/30/2018Quinten has been very kind and helpful with all our shredding needs. He is very polite and it's a pleasure speaking with him every month.
Tammy Aamodt10/30/2018We have used Proshred Fort Lauderdale for our two Shred Events this past year and they have been so delightful to work with. They showed... read moreWe have used Proshred Fort Lauderdale for our two Shred Events this past year and they have been so delightful to work with. They showed up on time, very reliable and friendly. I look forward to our next event of offering document shredding of documents to our clients. Thanks you Alicia Babin who helped coordinate the event with my team! read less
Terry Story10/16/2019Great! friendly, professional and affordable service.
Scott Tobkes10/30/2018Customer service is great and the price to shred is very reasonable. I like that this is a locally owned company. However, please note that... read moreCustomer service is great and the price to shred is very reasonable. I like that this is a locally owned company. However, please note that the photos and maps are inaccurate. The location has moved and it is now located in an industrial park just north of Commercial Boulevard and west of Northwest 33rd Avenue. Google Maps took me to the old location first, and then some other location which was inaccurate. But a quick phone call to Pro Shred put me in touch with an employee that was very helpful and talking me through the directions on how to get there. Hopefully Google will update the map and directions soon. read less
Lar B10/11/2018I like how organized and quick they are.
Bella Smile Cosmetic Dentistry10/30/2017Arrived on time. Friendly personnel and priced as expected. Pleased customer!
Gerhard Heidersberger10/30/2017Good and fast service!! Thank you Leo
Rosselynn aguilar lozada9/21/2019Thank you so much for all of your help and quality service. We couldn't be happier with the service we have received from you.... read moreThank you so much for all of your help and quality service. We couldn't be happier with the service we have received from you. Our contact Alicia Babin has been outstanding to work with. Highly recommend this company! read less
Kim6/20/2018Co was great!! They shredded 20+ years of documents. Quentin came out and did the work. Just a lovely guy. More than willing to please.i... read moreCo was great!! They shredded 20+ years of documents. Quentin came out and did the work. Just a lovely guy. More than willing to please.i highly recommend this Co! read less
S9/12/2018Great customer support and service.
Andy Wiggins10/30/2017I needed a mobile shredding service - I called them at 11.15 this morning, on the offchance they MIGHT be able to get someone over... read moreI needed a mobile shredding service - I called them at 11.15 this morning, on the offchance they MIGHT be able to get someone over here to shred some papers (wasn't very hopeful though, figured you'd have to request at least 24 hours in advance)..... requested a quote through yelp, got a response within 5 minutes, called and spoke to Hany - he said someone would be here this afternoon - said normally their scheduled time in this area was Monday but he'd make it happen - which was great. He said sometime this afternoon - ..I figured oh well, there's my afternoon gone - I'd have to wait around for them to come - guess what - at 1 pm, the driver called to say they would be here shortly, 1.15 they were here, 1.20 the shredding was done - how amazing is that! Within TWO HOURS of my initial email to them!!! They charge $95 for a full "bin" of paper - which is 7 bankers boxes - unfortunately I only had 5 boxes worth, but oh well, it was still worth the $95. EXCELLENT service - this is years old bank statements and file folders and junk that I just could NOT face sitting and putting through the home shredder. Thank you for outstanding service!!! read less
ChewedPupp @yahoo.com10/30/2017Thank you PROSHRED for another successful Juno Beach Shred Fest! We were busy the entire morning and our residents were thrilled for your service.... read moreThank you PROSHRED for another successful Juno Beach Shred Fest! We were busy the entire morning and our residents were thrilled for your service. Quinton did an excellent job! The invitation that we created was sent to all of the Juno Beach Civic Association members 3 times, was in our newsletter with a circulation of 500 and in the Town's newsletter with a circulation of 3,300! Thank you for your support! read less
bruce franson3/27/2018
