A New Wave of Credit Card Fraud Has Hit Connecticut
Ridgefield, Wilton, and Darien Connecticut police have made multiple ATM skimming arrests in the last few weeks. People have been placing skimmers at local bank ATMs in the area, stealing victims’ debit card and account information, leading to fraudulent activity on their accounts.
What is ATM Skimming?
Skimmers are small, portable devices that people can affix to ATMs at Connecticut banks and businesses that are used to steal customer’s banking information and ultimately, their money. Skimmers work by capturing account information, credit card numbers, and PIN numbers, which are then used to create fraudulent credit cards or debit cards. The cards are then used the same way as any other credit card or debit card, and are typically used to buy merchandise from stores, or extract money from a victim’s bank account by using an ATM.
What Happens If I Am Arrested for Skimming in Connecticut?
If you are under investigation or arrested for skimming in Connecticut, then you should contact a top criminal Connecticut skimming lawyer immediately. Skimming exposes you up to a wide range of criminal liability, and you could be charged with illegal use of a credit card, identity theft, larceny, and fraudulent use of an ATM. These are felony crimes punishable by years in prison. And for every skimming transaction recorded by police, you can be arrested for a single count of illegal use of a credit card and identity theft, meaning police can charge you with dozens of felonies for every ATM withdrawal, no matter how little the amount.
I Stole Someone’s Credit Card and Went Shopping – Will I Be Arrested for Skimming?
No, but you can be arrested in Connecticut Identify Theft, Larceny and Illegal Use of Credit Card. Many of the best Connecticut identity theft criminal lawyers and attorneys are seeing people from New York coming into Connecticut to go shopping with stolen credit cards at high end stores in Greenwich, Darien, and New Canaan. If you have been arrested for using someone else’s credit card, any top Connecticut criminal defense attorney will tell you that you are likely facing identity theft charges under Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-129 (to read more about identity theft charges in Connecticut, click here).
Fighting Identity Theft Arrests in Connecticut
There are three degrees of identity theft in Connecticut, and the degree charged will depend on two factors: (1) the victim’s age and (2) the value of goods, services, or property obtained. What is important to know is that each degree of identity theft is a felony – so if you are facing identity theft charges, then you need to contact a top Connecticut criminal identity theft lawyer today.
Can I Get a First Time Offender / AR Program for My Skimming Or Identity Theft Arrest in Connecticut?
Possibly – but it will be tough. There are a number of factors that impact your chances of getting the Accelerated Rehabilitation (“AR”) program for skimming and identity theft arrests. You cannot apply for AR if you are charged with a Class A or Class B felony – so, for example, if you are charged with Identity Theft in the First Degree under Connecticut General Statute § 53a-129b, you cannot under any circumstances apply for AR. Also, as with any Connecticut AR application, the victims will be notified of your application for AR and will have a chance to make an argument to the Judge why you should or shouldn’t be granted the AR program. Because of this, it is always a good idea to contact a top Connecticut skimming or identity theft lawyer before going in front of any prosecutor or judge. The good news is that if your charges are eligible for AR, and the judge grants you into the program, after you successfully complete the program, your charges will be dismissed without any mark on your criminal record.
Contact a Connecticut Skimming or Identity Theft Lawyer at Mark Sherman Law Today
If you are under investigation or have been arrested for skimming or identity theft in Connecticut, then contact one of the skimming or identity theft lawyers at Mark Sherman Law today. You can follow this link check out the hundreds of Avvo.com certified former client reviews of the Mark Sherman Law Firm. The team of attorneys at Mark Sherman Law are available to take your call 24/7 at 203-358-4700.