New Terminology

[mrlich]

Heard a new term used on the radio this morning:

"Agrivated Identity Theft"

I don't mean to make light of something that really sucks for the victims, but what the hell is that?

"I'm not just stealing your identity - I'm reaaaally stealing your identity.

With emPHAsis!"

Comments

[opadit.livejournal.com]

"Aggravated" means that there was identity theft, plus some other conduct -- "aggravating circumstances" -- related to it. Examples that come to mind would be using the stolen identity to get a loan, or a new driver's license, or a credit card, or the amount of money involved was beyond a certain threshold.

Generally, if there's an "aggravated" crime, there will be a heightened punishment (such as a bigger fine or more jail time) than there is for the non-aggravated crime. For example, in some states that have the death penalty for murder, it can't be considered unless it's aggravated first-degree murder. So, say, not just shooting someone in cold blood, but shooting someone in cold blood after robbing them and then dumping the body at sea.

[(Anonymous)]

In other words, not just killing him but REALLY killing him!

[lafemmekatia.livejournal.com]

In other words, not just killing him but REALLY killing him!

[lawbabeak.livejournal.com]

The law school student probably has it right. In PA, "simple assault" is a misdemeanor requiring bodily injury or the attempt there-of, "aggravated assault" is a felony requiring serious bodily injury or a deadly weapon or a special class of victim.

In PA, you can be charged with ID theft if you use a stolen credit card. Simply making one charge on a card you lifted from a lost wallet is arguably much less serious that people who spend months hacking into computer systems to steal credit info on hundreds - or thousands - of people and then wreck havoc with the information acquired.

Yeah, trust those with a legal education to take the funny out of a post real fast.