My brother was Charged with Identity Theft for E Mail Hacking to Steal Personal Information, what penalties should he expect?

The most common form of theft through email hacking is identity theft. This is a huge problem, which can shatter the lives of many unsuspecting individuals. Once a hacker has your email address, he or she can simply go to the “forgot password” section of your email provider’s website and respond to a preselected personal question that you answered when signing up for the account. With a little research, the hacker has a good shot at finding the correct answer. Some of the current questions could be answered using information found on a user’s social networking profile, or through a website like Ancestry.com.

Some of the most grievous cases of email hacking happen in the workplace. The motive may be revenge due to a recent termination. These cases can also be the ones that law enforcement chooses to prosecute because of the evidence left behind.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) coordinates with law enforcement agencies across the country through its Cybercrime unit. The penalties can range from fines starting at $5,000 and up to 20 years in prison for multiple offenses involving multiple victims. If you have been involved in a computer crime, it’s best to seek qualified legal representation by speaking with a criminal defense attorney.