When Someone Uses Your Name
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 570.223 — identity theft by value, and civil damages of up to five thousand dollars an incident
In Missouri, knowingly and with intent to deceive or defraud obtaining, possessing, transferring or using a means of identification not lawfully issued to oneself is identity theft.
| What was taken | The class |
|---|---|
| What was takenNo property | The classClass B misdemeanor |
| What was takenNot exceeding seven hundred fifty dollars | The classClass A misdemeanor |
| What was takenOver seven hundred fifty dollars, up to twenty-five thousand dollars | The classClass D felony |
| What was takenOver twenty-five thousand dollars, up to seventy-five thousand dollars | The classClass C felony |
| What was takenOver seventy-five thousand dollars | The classClass B felony |
- The court may order restitution, including attorney fees spent clearing the victim's credit history.
- The person whose information was used may sue for up to five thousand dollars for each incident, or three times actual damages, whichever is greater, and attorneys' fees, whether or not anyone is prosecuted.
- A civil action is brought within five years of discovering, or when one reasonably should have discovered, who did it.
- A dead person's estate has the same right to damages.
Sources for this section (1)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 570.223 — Identity theft
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Missouri attorney.