The internet age has brought a new and scarier form of criminals who are commonly called cybercriminals. These lawbreakers mostly comprise hackers whose sole purpose is to steal data, identity, or information from unwary victims and illegally use them through unauthorized access to computers, networks, and systems.
In Colorado, cybercrimes are known as computer crimes which cover anything that involves the use of computers to conduct a criminal offense. This will include unauthorized access to a computer system or website, causing damage through the use of a computer, and committing theft using a computer. And take note that mobile phones and tablets are also considered computers for computer crimes. Ask a bail bond company for more information about computer crimes.
Computer crimes may include activities such as phishing, hacking, identity theft, and spreading of malware and viruses.
Let’s take for example an identity theft attack during the pandemic times in 2020. Mario was happy that he could finally get his family’s stimulus check to pay for their mortgage and probably use the leftover cash for their daily needs. However, upon logging to the IRS website, he noticed that someone else had already filed their taxes using his identity and cashed out the full amount they were entitled to get. This stimulus check was meant to help people who were strapped up by the pandemic but were unfortunate victims of these cybercriminals. Contact an Adams County bondsman if your loved one has been accused of identity theft.
Computer crimes or C.R.S. 18-5.5-102 in Colorado can fall into petty offense, misdemeanor, or felony depending on the nature of the crime and the damage caused. To make it easier to understand where the offense may fall, here are the categories to determine the seriousness of the crime:
- Computer crime that has caused damage amounting to less than $300 is considered a petty offense which is punishable by up to 10 days in jail and a penalty amounting to $300.
- Computer crime that has caused damage amounting to $300 but less than $1,000 falls under Class 2 Misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 120 days in jail and a penalty of $750
- Computer crime that has caused damage amounting to $1,000 to less than $2,000 falls under Class 1 Misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a penalty of $1,000
- Computer crime that has caused damage amounting to $2,000 to less than $5,000 falls under Class 6 Felony and is punishable by up to 1 year to 18 months in jail and a penalty of $1,000 to $100,000
- Computer crime that has caused damage amounting to $5,000 to less than $20,000 falls under Class 5 Felony and is punishable by up to 1 to 3 years in jail and a penalty of $1,000 to $100,000
- Computer crime that has caused damage amounting to $20,000 to less than $100,000 falls under Class 4 Felony and is punishable by up to 2 to 6 years in jail and a penalty of $2,000 to $500,000
- Computer crime that has caused damage amounting to $100,000 to less than $1,000,000 falls under Class 3 Felony and is punishable by up to 4 to 12 years in jail and a penalty of $3,000 to $750,000
- Computer crime that has caused damage amounting to $1,000,000 or more falls under Class 2 Felony and is punishable by up to 8 to 24 years in jail and a penalty of $5,000 to $1,000,000
As people nowadays are using computers and mobile phones for everything from email to mobile banking, cybercriminals are more aggressive and determined to steal important information for their illegal agenda. It is important to stay vigilant and practice good internet habits — take it from a bail bond company.
If your loved one has been accused of computer crime or any form of cybercrime, an Adams County bondsman like Lucky Lucero’s Bail Bonds can assist and walk you through the process of getting your loved one out of jail fast and safe at home. Call now!