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50 Founders Plaza
East Hartford, CT 06108
50 Founders Plaza
East Hartford, CT 06108
The internet provides many people with anonymity. It is easy to use fake names and other false identifying information when interacting with others, and people may hide their identities or pretend to be someone else for a variety of reasons. However, as people and organizations continue to focus on privacy and security, some may be concerned about the legal implications of lying about their identities. Could providing false identifying information or making other false statements lead to criminal charges?
As digital technology becomes more widely used, there are a variety of legal concerns that people may face in relation to their online activities and interactions. Those who may face accusations that they have violated the law can work with an attorney to determine the best ways to address these issues. A skilled lawyer can provide guidance on the rights that apply to people who use the internet, the situations where criminal charges may apply, and the best options for defense against these charges.
There are many cases where people may be reluctant to turn over their personal information to large companies or smaller websites. Data breaches occur regularly, and hackers may steal this information and release it to people who may engage in identity theft or take other actions that can put people at risk. Even when data breaches do not occur, people may be concerned that their information could be sold to data brokers who may use the data to target ads, gain information about their activities, track their purchases and movements, or take other unwanted actions.
Even though most websites state that providing false information is a violation of their terms of service, many people choose not to expose details about their personal lives in this way. They may make up false names, birthdates, addresses, or other identifying information as a method of protecting their privacy. In most cases, this is not illegal. Some companies may revoke access or close a person’s account after learning that they provided false information, but these actions generally do not violate the law unless a person chose to keep using a site or app after permission to do so was expressly revoked.
Typically, the only times when a person may be charged with a crime for providing false information online will be when they are accused of engaging in fraud. Lying to someone with the intent to obtain money or something else of value could lead to criminal charges. Depending on who was allegedly affected by these activities and what websites or networks were used, fraud could be a state-level crime or a federal offense.
Examples of online fraud may include "phishing" scams in which someone pretends to be someone else in order to obtain someone’s personal information. For example, sending an email that looks like it came from the IRS and trying to convince a person to provide information such as their name, address, phone number, and bank account numbers would likely be considered fraud. When someone else’s information is used to open online accounts, obtain credit cards, access financial accounts, or take other actions that could cause the person to suffer financial harm, this may be considered identity theft.
Criminal cases involving allegations of fraud or the falsification of information online can be very complicated. Those who have been accused of these types of offenses will need to understand the specific charges they are facing and their options for defense. At Woolf Law Firm, LLC, our Hartford fraud defense lawyer can provide effective legal representation in these situations, helping address fraud or identity theft accusations and defend against criminal convictions. To set up a free consultation and get the defense needed in these situations, contact us at 860-290-8690.
50 Founders Plaza
