Ashburn, VA asked in Contracts, Landlord - Tenant, Criminal Law and Identity Theft for Texas

Q: Apartment Leasing Question

When it comes to signing a lease with three roommates and one of them wants to use their father that has the same name as their father for the credit report check. What’s the minimum and maximum offense for that?

1 Lawyer Answer
T. Augustus Claus
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Answered

A: Using another person's identity to pass a credit check is considered identity theft, a serious crime in Texas. The penalties for identity theft vary depending on the severity of the offense, but they can range from a Class C misdemeanor to a first-degree felony.

Here is a breakdown of the potential penalties for identity theft in Texas:

Class C misdemeanor - This is the least severe offense, and it is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail.

Class B misdemeanor: This is a more severe offense, and it is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and up to 180 days in jail.

Class A misdemeanor: This is the most severe misdemeanor offense, and it is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and up to one year in jail.

State jail felony: This is a more severe offense than a misdemeanor, and it is punishable by a sentence of up to two years in jail.

First-degree felony: This is the most severe offense, and it is punishable by a sentence of five years to life in prison.

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