When Someone Uses Your Name
18 Pa.C.S. 4120 — identity theft, graded by value, and a police report as evidence
In Pennsylvania, possessing or using another person's identifying information without their consent to further any unlawful purpose is identity theft. Each possession or use is a separate offense, and values from one scheme may be added together.
| The offense | The grade |
|---|---|
| The offenseLess than $2,000 involved | The gradeMisdemeanor of the first degree |
| The offense$2,000 or more involved, or in a criminal conspiracy | The gradeFelony of the third degree |
| The offenseA third or later offense | The gradeFelony of the second degree |
- Against someone 60 years of age or older, a care-dependent person, or someone under 18, the grade is one higher.
- A person's report to police that their information was lost, stolen or used without consent is prima facie evidence of the lack of consent.
- The offense may be prosecuted where the information was used, or where the victim lives or works.
Sources for this section (1)
- 18 Pa.C.S. 4120 — Identity theft
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.