ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
identity theft
(NOW: theft of identity)
Clarifies that identity
theft may occur whether or not the victim suffers any economic loss as a result
of the offense.
Under
current law, taking, using, selling or transferring another person’s personal
identifying information is punishable as a class 4 felony. Personal identifying information includes
identifiers such as a name, driver license number, address, telephone number,
social security number, birth date, savings or checking account number, credit
card number, mother’s maiden name, fingerprint or retinal image. H.B. 2282 emphasizes that economic loss is
unnecessary to uphold identity theft charges.
Last year the definition of
“victim” was removed from the identity theft statute because the term was not
used in the section. The definition of
victim included victims who did not suffer any economic loss. Victims’ rights
groups want economic loss language reinserted to clarify that offenders can be
charged with identity theft regardless of a victim’s pecuniary loss.
Any potential impact on the state
general fund is undetermined at this time.
1.
Stipulates
that taking, using, selling or transferring any personal information of another
person may be identity theft whether or not the person actually suffers any
economic loss as a result of the offense.
2.
Provides
for a general effective date.
JUD 2/5/02 DPA/SE 9-0-0-1-0
3rd Read 3/21/02 56-0-4-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 28, 2002