Source: https://www.ovcttac.gov/identitytheftnetwork/resource-map/colorado/
Timestamp: 2018-07-18 03:03:56
Document Index: 658475945

Matched Legal Cases: ['§12', '§16', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§5', '§6', '§24', '§6', '§13', '§ 6', '§12']

Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center - Colorado
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Colorado State Victim Resources:
Program Phone: (303) 866-9399
Legal Assistance: (303) 837-1321
All Colorado consumers are allowed to place security freezes on their consumer credit reports to prevent new accounts from being opened in their names. Such a freeze enables the consumer to prevent anyone from looking at his/her credit file for the purpose of granting credit unless the consumer chooses to allow a particular business look at the information. To request a freeze, a consumer must request one in writing by certified mail. Consumer reporting agencies may not charge a fee to implement the freeze. However, for each temporary lifting for a period of time or for permanent removal there is a $10 fee. There is a $12 fee for lifting the security freeze on a specific party.
The reporting agency must place the freeze within five business days after receiving the request, and within ten days, must send a written confirmation of the freeze and provide the consumer with a unique personal identification number or password to be used by the consumer when providing authorization for the release of his credit for a specific party or period of time. Requests for a temporary unlocking of the freeze must be completed within three business days.
Statute: §12-14.3-106.6.
How To Place A Security Freeze in Colorado: http://consumersunion.org/research/state_security_freeze_laws/#CO
A person who knows or reasonably suspects that his or her identifying information has been unlawfully used by another person may initiate a law enforcement investigation by contacting the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the victim’s residence or over the place where a crime was committed. The agency must take a police report of the matter, provide the complainant with a copy of that report, and begin an investigation of the facts. If the suspected crime was committed in a different jurisdiction, the local law enforcement agency may refer the matter to the agency where the suspected crime was committed for investigation of the facts.
Statute: §16-5-103: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
Knowingly possesses or uses the personal identifying information, financial identifying information, or financial device (credit card, check, debit card, etc.) of another without permission to obtain cash, credit, property, services, or any other thing of value.
Falsely makes, completes, or alters a document or financial device containing any personal identifying information of another person, with the intent to defraud.
Knowingly possess the personal identifying information of another person to apply for credit.
Knowingly uses or possesses the personal identifying information of another without permission or lawful authority to obtain a government-issued document.
Attempts, conspires with another, or solicits another to commit any of these acts.
“Identifying information” is defined as information that, alone or in conjunction with other information, identifies an individual, including but not limited to such individual’s:
Biometric data, defined as data, such as fingerprints, voice prints, or retina and iris prints, that capture, represent, or enable the reproduction of the unique physical attributes of an individual.
Unique electronic identification device or telecommunication identifying device, meaning a number, or magnetic or electronic device that enables the holder to use telecommunications technology to access an account; obtain money, goods, or services; or transfer funds.
Identity theft is a class 4 felony, punishable by two to six years in prison and/or a fine of $2000 to $500,000. However, the court may sentence the defendant to a term of imprisonment twice the presumptive range if the defendant is convicted of identity theft; and has a prior conviction for an identity theft violation.
Statute: §18-5-902: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
It is a class 5 felony to possess identity theft tools, including any equipment adapted, designed, or commonly used for committing or facilitating the commission of identity theft, with the intent of using the tools to commit the crime.
Statute: §18.5.905: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
It is a class 5 felony to gather identity information by deception. This offense occurs if a person knowingly makes or conveys a materially false statement, without permission or lawful authority, with the intent to obtain, record, or access the personal identifying information of another.
Statute: §18-5-904: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
Identity theft may be prosecuted in any county where the prohibited act was committed, or in any county where the victim resides during part or all of the offense.
Statute: §18-1-202: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
A person commits criminal possession of a financial device if the person has in his or her possession or under his or her control any financial device that the person knows, or reasonably should know, to be lost, stolen, or delivered under mistake as to the identity or address of the account holder.
“Financial transaction device” means any instrument or device whether known as a credit card, banking card, debit card, electronic fund transfer card, or guaranteed check card, or account number representing a financial account or affecting the financial interest, standing, or obligation of or to the account holder, that can be used to obtain cash, goods, property, or services or to make financial payments.
Criminal possession of one financial device is a class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by six to eighteen months in prison and/or a fine of $500 to $5000. Possession of two or more financial devices is a class 6 felony, punishable by one year to eighteen months in prison and/or a fine of $1000 to $100,000. Possession of four of more, of which at least two are issued to different account holders, is a class 5 felony, punishable by one to three years in prison and/or a fine of $1000 to $100,000.
Statute: §18-5-903: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
A person commits unauthorized use of a financial transaction device if he uses such device for the purpose of obtaining cash, credit, property, or services or for making financial payment, with intent to defraud, and with notice that either the financial transaction device has expired, has been revoked, or has been cancelled; or for any reason his use of the financial transaction device is unauthorized either by the issuer thereof or by the account holder.
Unauthorized use of a financial transaction device is:
A class 1 petty offense, punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine up to$500, if the value of the cash, credit, property, or services obtained or of the financial payments made is less than $100.
A class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by three to twelve months in prison and/or a fine of $250 to $1000, if the value of the cash, credit, property, or services obtained or of the financial payments made is $100 or more but less than $500.
A class 5 felony if the value of the cash, credit, property, or services obtained or of the financial payments made is $500 or more but less than $15,000;
A class 3 felony if the value of the cash, credit, property, or services obtained or of the financial payments made is $15,000 dollars or more. Violations are punishable by four to twelve years in prison and/or a fine of between $3000 and $7500.
The value of the cash, credit, property, or services obtained and the financial payments made shall be the total value of the cash, credit, property, or services obtained or financial payments made by unauthorized use of a single financial transaction device within a six-month period from the date of the first unauthorized use.
Statute: §18-5-702: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
State law requires a credit card issuer that receives an application with a different address in response to a mailed unsolicited offer to verify that the consumer accepting the offer is the same consumer to whom the offer was sent.
Statute: §5-3.7-101: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
Social Security Numbers: It is against state law for a person or entity to:
Publicly post or publicly display (intentionally communicate or otherwise make available to the general public) in any manner an individual’s Social Security number (SSN);
Print an individual’s SSN on any card required for the individual to access products or
services provided by the person or entity;
Require an individual to transmit his or her SSN over the Internet, unless the connection is secure or the social security number is encrypted;
Require an individual to use his or her SSN to access an Internet web site, unless a password or unique personal identification number or other authentication device is also required to access the Internet web site; and
Print an individual’s SSN on any materials that are mailed to the individual, unless state or federal law requires, permits, or authorizes the SSN to be on the document to be mailed.
Social Security numbers may be included in applications and forms sent by mail, including documents sent as part of an application or enrollment process, or to establish, amend, or terminate an account, contract, or policy, or to confirm the accuracy of the SSN. A Social Security number that is permitted to be mailed may not be printed, in whole or in part, on a postcard or other mailer not requiring an envelope, or visible on the envelope or without the envelope having been opened.
However, if a business had previously used an individual’s SSN in a manner inconsistent with these provisions prior to January 1, 2007, it may continue using the SSN if the following conditions are met:
Statute: §6-1-715: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
State law prohibits a public entity (state or local agency) from issuing a license, permit, pass, or certificate that contains the holder’s Social Security number, unless the issuing authority determines inclusion of the Social Security number is necessary to further the purpose of the license, pass, or certificate or inclusion is required by federal or state law. It also prohibits government agencies from requesting a person’s Social Security number over the phone, Internet, or via mail unless the public entity determines receiving the Social Security number is required by federal law or is essential to the provision of services by the public entity.
Statute: §24-72.3-102: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
State law requires public and private entities that use documents during the course of business that contain personal identifying information to develop a policy for the destruction or proper disposal of paper documents containing personal identifying information. “Personal identifying information” includes a Social Security number; personal identification number; password; pass code; official state or government-issued driver’s license or identification card number; government passport number; biometric data; employer, student, or military identification number; or financial transaction device.
Statute: §6-1-713: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
Victims of identity theft can file a private civil right of action against the perpetrator who committed the crime, regardless of whether the perpetrator was convicted of the crime. The victim is entitled to actual damages, including but not limited to damage to reputation or credit rating, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
Statute: §13-21-122.
State law requires an individual or a commercial entity that conducts business in Colorado that owns or licenses computerized data that includes personal information about a state resident that becomes aware of a breach of the security of the system to conduct a prompt investigation to determine the likelihood that personal information has been or will be misused. A security breach occurs upon “unauthorized acquisition of unencrypted computerized data that compromises the security, confidentiality, or integrity of personal information maintained by an individual or a commercial entity.” It must then provide notice as soon as possible to the affected residents unless the investigation determines that the misuse of information has not occurred and is not reasonably likely to occur.
Personal information is defined as an Colorado resident’s first name or first initial and last name in combination with any one or more of the following data elements that relate to the resident, when the data elements are not encrypted, redacted, or secured by any other method rendering the name or the element unreadable or unreadable: Social Security number, driver’s license number or identification card number, account number, or credit or debit card number, in combination with any require security code, access code, or password that would permit access to a resident’s financial account. It does not include publicly available information.
Disclosure must be made in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay, consistent with the legitimate needs of law enforcement, or with any measures necessary to determine the scope of the breach and restore the reasonable integrity, security, and confidentiality of the data system. If the breach affects more than 1,000 people, the entity must also notify the consumer reporting agencies.
Notification can be provided to the affected persons by mail, e-mail, or telephone. If the cost of providing regular notice would exceed $250,000, the amount of people to be notified exceeds 250,000, or the information broker or data collector does not have sufficient contact information to provide written or electronic notice, substitute notice may be provided. When substitute notice is used, it must consist of all of the following, as applicable: e-mail notice, conspicuous posting on the entity’s web site, and notification to major statewide media.
Statute: § 6-1-716: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
Credit Report Blocking:
People who believe that they are identity theft victims can ask most credit rating agencies to block and not report information appearing on their credit reports as a result of the crime. Within thirty days after receiving the request and the receipt of a police report or court order, the agency must stop reporting any information that resulted from the crime. The agency must also promptly notify the person or business that furnished the information of the police report and the effective date of the block. A credit rating agency may decline to block or rescind a block if it has a good faith belief that the consumer misrepresented the facts in the request for a block; agrees that information, or portions of it, was blocked in error; or knew or should have known that he received goods, services, or money as a result of blocked transactions. The agency must give consumers prompt written notice of their decision not to block or to rescind a block on information.
Statute: §12-14.3-106.5: http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado/
State law provides for a process by which victims of criminal identity theft, defined as a person whose identifying information has been mistakenly associated with an arrest, summons, summons and complaint, felony complaint, information, indictment, or conviction, may clear their names. If a criminal charge is not pending, a victim of identity theft may, with notice to the prosecutor, petition the court with jurisdiction over the arrest, summons, summons and complaint, felony complaint, information, indictment, or conviction to judicially determine the person’s factual innocence. Alternatively, the court, on its own motion, may make such a determination in the case. If a criminal charge is pending, the prosecuting attorney may request the court to make such a determination. If the court determines that there is no reasonable cause to believe that a victim of identity theft committed the offense for which the victim’s identity has been mistakenly associated, the court will find the victim factually innocent of that offense. If the victim is found factually innocent, the court will issue an order certifying this determination. After the court has determined that a person is factually innocent, the court may order the name and associated identifying information contained in court records, files, or a criminal justice record to be labeled to show that the information is not accurate and does not reflect the perpetrator’s identity because the victim of identity theft was impersonated.