Minnesota Statute
Identity theft involves using, possessing, or transferring someone else’s personal identifying information (such as name, Social Security number, bank account, etc.) with intent to commit an unlawful act like fraud or theft. In other words, it’s assuming someone’s identity to commit crimes or obtain value.
Minnesota law bases identity theft penalties on the number of victims and the total loss. For a single victim and loss under $250, it’s a misdemeanor (up to 90 days). Cases involving $250–$500 (or one victim) are gross misdemeanors (up to 1 year). Any larger offense is a felony: if the loss is over $500 or there are multiple victims, it’s at least a 5-year felony, and the penalties increase with the scale of the crime – for example, offenses with $35,000+ or 8 or more victims can lead to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Use, possession, or transfer of another’s identifying information with intent to obtain value or commit a crime; proof may span banks, retailers, and telecoms.
Attribution and loss calculation are frequent dispute points.
Severity rises with number of victims and total loss; restitution, credit holds, and device forfeitures can be part of outcomes.
Attorneys attack attribution and valuation, seek targeted restitution solutions, and negotiate reductions where loss proof is thin.