Los Angeles Cybercrime Defense

Digital communication is an essential part of the world today. The internet allows people to quickly and easily connect with loved ones, conduct business, and seek out new information. Unfortunately, not every part of the internet is safe and secure. As the online world grows, cybercrime is growing along with it. It is important that perpetrators and potential victims understand the significant dangers of cybercrime. The Law Office of Stein & Markus can help you understand California cybercrime laws, whether you have been a victim or are facing a conviction.

What Is Cybercrime?

Cybercrime refers to any illegal actions carried out using computers or internet services. There are many different types of cybercrime and computer crimes, ranging from fraud to pornography. These crimes do not always have physical consequences for victims, but they can have a serious impact. This type of crime, regardless of the specific actions taken, can be particularly dangerous because it can begin anywhere in the world. It is important to understand what cybercrime is so that you can know how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

What Are the Most Common Cybercrimes?

As with any crime, there are many different types of cybercrime. Some of the most common forms of cybercrime are:

• Identity Theft. Each year, millions of people across the world have their identities stolen. This typically entails a criminal accessing an individual’s private information and accounts for their own gain. In most cases, this is accomplished by finding that person’s social security number or other identifying information. They will then use it to make fraudulent purchases or interfere with their bank activity. This could also involve credit card and bank account information being stolen, which is often referred to as “account theft.” The various forms of identity theft not only harm victims by taking away their monetary resources, but they can also have a significant negative impact on important things such as their credit score and ability to maintain bank accounts.
• Credit Card Fraud. As mentioned above, credit card fraud is a form of identity theft that occurs when an individual’s credit card or bank information is stolen. Once the information has been stolen, it is most often used to make fraudulent purchases or simply remove money from the connected accounts. There are many types of credit card fraud, but there are two primary forms. First is the full takeover of an account. This means that an individual’s account is hacked, and funds are used to make fraudulent purchases. The other type, which is more involved, is application fraud. This requires a criminal to use an individual’s personal information to open entirely new credit cards in their name and then run up significant charges. If left unchecked, this form of credit card fraud could cause severe damage to an individual’s credit score.
• Insurance Fraud. This cybercrime has an immediate impact on insurance companies rather than an individual, but it can have negative consequences for a larger population over time. When an individual engages in insurance fraud, they file false insurance claims to receive payments that they are not entitled to. This could be connected with automobile accidents, major destructive events like fires, medical malpractice issues, and more. In some cases, referred to as “hard fraud,” a criminal will facilitate some destructive event to file their claim and get illegal compensation. Other, more common cases of insurance fraud involve a situation being blown out of proportion or falsely reported so that an individual may pay a lower insurance premium. These cybercrimes are dangerous because they can increase insurance costs for all users, not just the ones committing the crimes.
• Hacking. This may be the cybercrime that people are most familiar with. It has its roots in the telephone systems of the 1950s but has adapted to the internet over time. This type of cybercrime most often impacts corporations or large organizations. When an individual is hacking, it means that they are attempting to gain access to the systems and information held within a computer network. Many individuals who partake in this activity are simply curious and do not have any malicious intent, but some hackers are intentionally criminal. This variety of cybercrime can be particularly dangerous because some hackers will attempt—and sometimes succeed—to gain access to computer networks that have national or international importance, such as those of government organizations or larger companies.
• Phishing. This type of cybercrime often leads to something more serious. A phishing scheme involves individuals being contacted by someone posing as a legitimate organization or business seeking information. This most often happens through emails, but it could also be done with text messages or phone calls. When the individual provides the personal information that is requested, that information is then used to gain access to their private information. That could potentially lead to more severe cybercrimes, such as identity theft or fraud.
• Online Sex Crimes. This form of cybercrime likely has the most severe impact on individuals. Most cybercrimes that fall under the umbrella of “sex crimes” involve pornography. While many forms of pornography are legal, there are many pornographic practices that are illegal, particularly when children are involved. Sexual cybercrimes involving children may include contacting a child online for sexual reasons, soliciting sexual favors from minors for money, or creating and distributing pornography involving children. These cybercrimes can have significant negative impacts on the victims, particularly because it is nearly impossible to fully remove the evidence from online spaces.

Any form of cybercrime may have dire consequences for both the perpetrator and the victim, depending on the circumstances. Regardless of the specifics of a cybercrime, it is important to know what California law states regarding these crimes to protect yourself or know how to move forward if you are facing cybercrime charges.