Were You Charged with a Cyber Crime?
With the extraordinary popularity of computers and internet use, it is no surprise that criminal activity has found its way into the cyber world. It is a classic double edged sword. Corporations like banks and other financial institutions have maintained their data - including their client's personal information like credit card and ATM pin numbers - on servers on site and off. This, however, has the potential to serve as a treasure trove for individuals who have the skill and desire to hack into these databases and steal the valuable information.
Known as hacking, a computer programmer will write software that will infiltrate a database and retrieve this client information – also known as "dumps" or "pins." Ultimately, the hacker will sell off or supply this valuable information to individuals who buy it. Finally, the process ends when other individuals, sometimes called "cashers," use the information to purchase items or withdraw money from ATMs.
Information that can be stolen includes, but is not limited to:
- Home address
- Telephone number
- Credit card number
- Debit card pin number
- Account and routing number
- Personal passwords
Needless to say, the federal government has begun to actively pursue these crimes. U.S. Attorney's offices around the country have special "cyber" bureaus whose sole job is to search for hackers and "carders" online, identify them, and ultimately make an arrest. Because of the amount of money that is at stake and the potential and actual money loss that goes along with this conduct, an individual charged with a cybercrime is exposed to heavy penalties.
Call Sullivan & Brill today!
Our criminal defense attorneys at Sullivan & Brill have been involved in several cybercrime arrests. We know the jargon and understand the "hacking" culture. From this experience, our firm understands the nature of the crime, and more importantly, what the potential negative consequences are and how best to minimize them.
For an immediate free consultation, and to begin defending your rights, contact our firm today.