When Someone Uses Your Name
Crim. Law § 8-301 — identity fraud, graded by value from $100 to $100,000 or more
In Maryland, knowingly, willfully and with fraudulent intent possessing or obtaining someone's personal identifying information without consent, to use or sell it for a benefit or to reach health information or health care, is identity fraud. So is assuming another person's identity, real or fictitious, to avoid arrest or prosecution, or with fraudulent intent to get something of value.
| The value involved | The offense | Up to |
|---|---|---|
| The value involvedAt least $100 but less than $1,500 | The offenseMisdemeanor | Up to1 year, a $500 fine, or both |
| The value involvedAt least $1,500 but less than $25,000 | The offenseFelony | Up to5 years, a $10,000 fine, or both |
| The value involvedAt least $25,000 but less than $100,000 | The offenseFelony | Up to10 years, a $15,000 fine, or both |
| The value involved$100,000 or more | The offenseFelony | Up to20 years, a $25,000 fine, or both |
- Intending to manufacture or distribute other people's information is a felony carrying up to 10 years, a $25,000 fine, or both.
- Maliciously posting someone's license, account, card or social security number online to harass them is a misdemeanor, as is assuming an identity to avoid arrest.
- Conduct in one scheme may be added together to set the grade.
Sources for this section (1)
- Md. Code, Crim. Law § 8-301 — Identity fraud
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.