Bill > A10439

This bill establishes a new framework for identity theft offenses in New York, creating five distinct tiers of crimes based on the financial loss to victims and the number of individuals victimized, and also criminalizes the unlawful possession of personal identifying information and "skimmer devices" (devices used to steal information from cards). The bill defines "personal identifying information" broadly to include names, addresses, financial account numbers, social security numbers, biometric data, and medical or insurance information, among other details that could be used to assume someone's identity. The offenses range from "petit identity theft" (a misdemeanor) to "identity theft in the first degree" (a class B felony), with escalating penalties tied to the severity of the financial loss or the number of victims. It also introduces new offenses for possessing stolen personal information and for possessing skimmer devices, with penalties ranging from a misdemeanor to a class E felony. The bill also makes several conforming amendments to existing laws, including updating references to identity theft offenses and expanding the definition of "victim" to include those whose identities have been stolen.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A10439