Identity Crime Lawyers in Newcastle, Sydney, Central Coast

We regularly advise people, directors, companies, business owners and officers who are involved in external investigations and prosecutions, related to identity crimes, brought by Commonwealth and stage agencies.

Identity Crime Lawyers in NSW

Our Criminal Law Team can assist you with matters related to identity crime (identity theft & fraud), we have the experience and expertise necessary to ensure you receive the best possible outcome.

We’ve been defending the people of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast and the Hunter region since 1969 and have helped our clients to achieve the best possible outcomes in all Criminal Law matters.

We are used to dealing with the Police, and know all the ‘ins and outs’ of the Courts and Justice system.

If you have been charged with an identity-related crime, contact our Criminal Law Team today to book a teleconference or appointment. We’ll fight vigorously to protect your freedom and rights.

What is identity crime (theft & fraud)?

‘Identity Crime’ is an umbrella term that includes both ‘Identity Fraud’ and ‘Identity Theft’.

Identity fraud occurs when someone uses another person’s personal information and/or identity without express permission to do so.

Identity theft occurs when someone takes over or assumes another person’s identity.

Common identity crimes include ATM fraud, credit card fraud, TFN theft, internet fraud, applying for loans using false names, renting anything under false names, mail theft, cheque washing, stealing money from another person’s accounts, manufacturing false identification documents (identity cards, passports and licences) and the possession of false identification documents.

What are the penalties for identity crime?

As a result of digitisation and society’s increasing reliance on the Internet, identity crime has tripled over the last decade. This increase led to the addition of three new identity crime offences to Part 4 AB of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

The 3 identity crime offences include:

dealing with identification information (maximum penalty is 10 years imprisonment)
possession of identification information (maximum penalty is 7 years imprisonment)
possession of equipment used to make identification information (maximum penalty is 3 years imprisonment)

What is identification information?

‘Identification Information‘ is defined as information that is capable of being used (whether alone or in conjunction with other information) to identify a person. It includes date/place of birth, marital status, relatives (names, locations, etc), driver licence (or number), passport (or number), bio-metric data, voice print, credit/debit card (or number), financial account information (number, username & password), digital signature, identifying ID (unique combinations of letters and numbers used by a person to identify themselves, usually online) and ABN.